This is a file that has dragged on for years and could finally pick up speed.

US President Joe Biden on Friday signed an executive order allowing progress in the implementation of a new framework for the transfer of personal data from the European Union to the United States, crucial for the digital economy.

Washington and Brussels had reached an agreement in principle on this subject in March, previous versions having been challenged by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) due to fears about American surveillance programs.

The signing of the decree by the American president will allow the European Commission to begin its own ratification process, which should take several months.

"This is the culmination of our joint efforts to restore confidence and stability in transatlantic data flows," US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said during a briefing with reporters.

Guarantee confidentiality

The text reinforces measures aimed at guaranteeing confidentiality and the protection of civil liberties in American surveillance programs targeting data collected in Europe and transferred or hosted across the Atlantic.



It also creates an independent and binding mechanism for individuals in eligible states to seek redress if they believe their personal data has been unlawfully collected by US intelligence.

This mechanism provides for two levels of appeal, one with an officer in charge of the protection of civil liberties with the American intelligence directorate, the other with an independent tribunal formed by the Department of Justice.

“These commitments fully respond to the Schrems II decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union and will cover transfers of personal data to the United States under EU law,” said Gina Raimondo.

In July 2020, the Court found that the "Privacy Shield", used by 5,000 American companies, including giants like Google or Amazon, did not protect possible "interferences in the fundamental rights of the people whose data is transferred".

Complaint against Facebook

The case was launched by a complaint against Facebook by Max Schrems, a figure in the fight for data protection, already at the origin of the 2015 judgment on the ancestor of the "Privacy Shield", "Safe Harbor". .

It is possible that the new version could be challenged again, US administration officials acknowledged during the briefing.

But it was designed to meet the previous reservations of European justice, they assured.

The decision of the CJEU had plunged into legal uncertainty companies operating in the EU that transfer or host data across the Atlantic.

They have since resorted to alternative solutions, with more uncertain legality, to continue these transfers, while waiting for a more solid and sustainable system.

high tech

Personal data: Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp are hackers' favorite apps

Company

Did you receive an SMS to obtain the new identity card?

Warning this is a scam

  • World

  • European Commission

  • Joe Biden

  • UNITED STATES

  • Europe

  • Google

  • Personal data