The United States and the European Union has made a deal over data sharing. This agreement will allow websites like Facebook and companies like Apple to send information across the Atlantic region.
The two countries have been trying to push the deal since October. Previously the top courts of Europe were against the proposal. The said that it was against the Safe Harbor law. It would allow the US intelligence agency to spy any personal data from Europe. The new deal, however, will put an end to questions of privacy across 28 European countries.
According to Andrus Ansip, the European Commissioner responsible for the digital single market, that their people can be sure that their personal data will be secured. He added that small businesses have the legal certainty they need to develop their activities across the Atlantic. He assured that the new agreement known as EU-US Privacy Shield will ensure proper check and balance and a much better version of what they have last 2000.
Under the new agreement, a joint review will be done annually. The US also will appoint new officials based at the State Department. This official will be responsible for the complaints from the EU data protection officers. Dyann Heward-Mills, Head of Data Protection said that it's a safe harbor with rules and is a god avenue for business certainty and trust.
The European Court of Justice declared the Safe Harbor pact as invalid during its decision last October. They said that it did not adequately protect the consumers when their data was stored in the US. Edward Snowden, a former contractor of the US National Security Agency, revealed that there were spying activities going on.
The European Commissioner for Justice, Vera Jourova said that the said pact will be a landmark for the access of public authorities for national security purposes but will be subject to clear limitations, safeguards, and oversight mechanisms. She added that the new pact will be ready for any challenges made in court.
