Press Release: European Commission ready to start talks with US on personal data agreement to fight terrorism or crime

EU Justice Ministers have approved the start of talks between the European Union and the United States on a personal data protection agreement when cooperating to fight terrorism or crime. The European Commission adopted the draft mandate for negotiating such an agreement on 26 May 2010. The aim is to ensure a high level of protection of personal information like passenger data or financial information that is transferred as part of transatlantic cooperation in criminal matters. Once in place, the agreement would enhance citizens’ right to access, rectify or delete data when it is processed with the aim to prevent, investigate, detect or prosecute criminal offences, including terrorism.

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