Statement by Vice-President Ansip and Commissioner Jourová on the occasion of the adoption by Member States of the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield

Officials of EU Member States working within the Article 31 comitology committee signed off on the 8 July 2016 the new 'Privacy Shield' legislative framework for transatlantic data flows between the EU and the US. Representatives of four member states were said to have abstained on the vote (Politico suggested they were Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovenia).

The European Commission welcomed the development. The Council of the European Union would formally adopt the legislative on the 11 July 2016.

However, policy activists and others expect there to be legal challenges to the revised text.

ESO: Background information: Restoring trust in transatlantic data flows through strong safeguards: European Commission presents EU-U.S. Privacy Shield http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-restoring-trust-in-transatlantic-data-flows-through-strong-safeguards-european-commission-presents-eu-u-s-privacy-shield/

EurActiv, 08.07.16: Privacy Shield agreement signed off despite vote abstentions http://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/privacy-shield-agreement-signed-off-despite-vote-abstentions/

Politico, 08.07.;16: Companies get data transfer safety net — for now http://www.politico.eu/article/privacy-shield-adoption-eu-countries-national-experts-safe-harbor-data-transfers/

EUObserver, 08.07.16: EU states endorse data sharing pact with US https://euobserver.com/justice/134265

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