An agreement with the US to protect the privacy of personal data was endorsed by the full European Commission yesterday (29 March)

Date: 30/03/2000

After months of talks, negotiators reached a provisional accord two weeks ago to avert a trade dispute over tough new Union rules on personal data. The directive, which took effect in October 1998, bars companies from exchanging personal information with firms in countries which do not adequately protect the privacy of that information. The accord recognises a US industry-led data protection scheme as meeting the terms of the directive. If ratified by member states, this would allow US firms participating in the 'safe harbour' scheme to continue transferring data across the Atlantic.