Press Release: Enhanced data protection rights for EU citizens in law enforcement cooperation : EU and US sign ‘Umbrella agreement’

On 2 June 2016, the European Union and the United States of America signed the so-called 'Umbrella agreement' which put in place a comprehensive high-level data protection framework for criminal law enforcement cooperation. The agreement improved, in particular, EU citizens' rights by providing equal treatment with US citizens when it came to judicial redress rights before US courts.

The 'Umbrella agreement' covered all personal data exchanged between police and criminal justice authorities of the EU member states and the US federal authorities for the purpose of prevention, investigation, detection and prosecution of criminal offences, including terrorism.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of an Agreement between the United States of America and the European Union on the protection of personal information relating to the prevention, investigation, detection, and prosecution of criminal offences http://www.europeansources.info/record/proposal-for-a-council-decision-on-the-conclusion-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-of-an-agreement-between-the-united-states-of-america-and-the-european-union-on-the-protection-of-personal-informatio/

ESO: Background information: EU-US 'Privacy Shield' for data transfers: further improvements needed, MEPs say http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-us-privacy-shield-for-data-transfers-further-improvements-needed-meps-say/

Council of the European Union: Statement, 02.06.16: Joint EU-U.S. press statement following the EU-U.S. Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial meeting of 2 June 2016 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/06/02-joint-eu-us-press-statement/

EurActiv, 02.06.16: EU, US sign ‘Umbrella Agreement’ on data protection http://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/eu-us-sign-umbrella-agreement-on-data-protection/

Deutsche Welle, 02.06.16: EU, US sign data deal to fight crime, terrorism http://dw.com/p/1IzeG

Kathimerini, 02.06.16: EU, US agree to protect data shared by law enforcers http://www.ekathimerini.com/209247/article/ekathimerini/news/eu-us-agree-to-protect-data-shared-by-law-enforcers

ESO: Background information: Reactions to the EU-US Privacy Shield, the successor to the Safe Harbour agreement http://www.europeansources.info/record/reactions-to-the-eu-us-privacy-shield-the-successor-to-the-safe-harbour-agreement/

EUObserver, 22.06.16: EU to adopt new US data rules in July https://euobserver.com/justice/133941

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