EU Approves Revised Pact For Data Transfer With US

A new commercial data transfer pact between the US and European Union was given the green light from the EU, replacing the earlier accord known as Safe Harbour, reports BBC News. It will now be formally adopted early next week, said European Commission Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova.

Privacy Shield, an agreement aimed at giving more protection to Europeans whose data is handled in the US, was given “strong support” from EC members and outlines “clear limitations, safeguards and oversight mechanisms.”

The approval of Privacy Shield has ended months of uncertainty for many tech companies including Google, Facebook and Apple. However, there are concerns from some quarters over the revised pact: digital rights group Privacy International (PI) says “the new Privacy Shield remains full of holes and hence offers limited protection to personal data.”

Safe Harbour was rejected in October 2015 by EU’s top court on concerns that data was being spied upon after reports of leaks.

Read full story at BBC News.