EU commission ‘stood firm’ on US data privacy

The European Union and the United States met in Dublin on 13-14 June 2013 to discuss issues of common interest in the field of justice and home affairs. EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding represented the European Commission, while the Irish Minister of Justice, Alan Shatter attended on behalf of the EU Presidency, the incoming Lithuanian Presidency was also represented. The United States was represented by Attorney General Eric Holder.

After it emerged in 2013 that through an electronic surveillance program, called PRISM, the US's National Security Agency (NSA) had been spying on millions of European's data held by firms such as Google or Facebook, there was growing reaction throughout Europe and the European Union's (EU) instituions.

When it came to the decision to draft its overhaul of the EU's data protection regime, the European Commission insisted it 'stood firm' in the face of pressure from the US, according to the EUObserver from the 13 June 2013.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background Information: US scandal shows EU needs 'highest standards' on data privacy http://www.europeansources.info/record/us-scandal-shows-eu-needs-highest-standards-on-data-privacy/

ESO: Background Information: US makes first public comment over draft EU data privacy law http://www.europeansources.info/record/us-makes-first-public-comment-over-draft-eu-data-privacy-law/

European Parliament: Press Release, 11.06.13: Prism: MEPs hit out at US surveillance of people's personal data http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/content/20130611STO11522/

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/13/550: EU-U.S. Justice Ministerial meeting: 13 -14 June in Dublin http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-550_en.pdf

European Commission: The Commissioners (2010-2014): Viviane Reding, 14.06.13: PRISM scandal: Vice-President Reding makes it clear the data protection rights of EU citizens are non-negotiable http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/reding/multimedia/news/2013/06/20130612_en.htm

EUObserver, 14.06.13: US defends spy programme to sceptical EU http://euobserver.com/justice/120505

ESO: Background Information: Speech: PRISM scandal: The data protection rights of EU citizens are non-negotiable http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-prism-scandal-the-data-protection-rights-of-eu-citizens-are-non-negotiable/

Blog: Public Service Europe, 17.06.13: PRISM is just 'the tip of the iceberg' in an Orwellian society http://www.publicserviceeurope.com/article/3602/prism-is-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg-of-an-orwellian-society

Blog: Public Service Europe, 23.06.13: Who is spying on who and why - we deserve to know the truth? http://www.publicserviceeurope.com/article/3629/who-is-spying-on-who-and-why-we-deserve-to-know-the-truth

---