WIREDGOV

Guidance comes against background of continuing uncertainty on EU-US data transfers.

The European Commission has recently issued guidance on transatlantic data transfers following the CJEU Safe Harbour ruling. The guidance is designed to provide clarity to businesses until a new EU-US data sharing framework is agreed. 

Speaking at the recent press conference Vice President Ansip said any new deal needs to be "bullet-proof" to provide certainly for citizens and businesses. Commissioner Jourova said that the Commission had stepped up talks with the US and there's now a sense of urgency to come to an agreement.

Commissioner Jourova highlighted that the US was already reforming legislation prior to the ruling, adding whilst that recent efforts such as the Judicial Reform Act were a step in the right direction they were not sufficient and further negotiations are ongoing.

The Commission will also continue to work closely with the national data protection authorities to ensure a uniform application of the ruling and avoid a patchwork of regulatory approaches.

Responding to the guidance, Charlotte Holloway, Head of Policy at techUK commented, "The Commission has listened to industry's need for greater clarity on the future of international data transfers. The priority now is for the EU and the US to rapidly agree a new transatlantic data sharing agreement. This will help restore confidence and a legal basis for firms impacted by the ruling, particularly for those SMEs who find it harder to move across to alternative contractual mechanisms such as SCCs and BCRs."