EC activates privacy shield to protect personal information

After a long negotiation, the new framework has been activated to protect the fundamental rights of individuals when their data is transferred to the United States.

The EC said the privacy shield has been ratified by EU members. Personal data include a person’s name, photo, social insurance number, and client number.

The US and the EC introduced the privacy shield in February to replace an agreement which was rejected by the European Court of Justice last year. 

The US government has promised to limit the collection of intelligence information on the Internet, assign an official to resolve EU citizens’ claims relating to privacy rights, and punish violators. 

American companies like Facebook and Google, will use the agreement as a legal foundation when transferring customer information from their branches in Europe to their headquarters in the US. 

The agreement also says that all EU citizens have the right to protect their personal data in US courts.

American and EU officials say the privacy shield agreement will enhance bilateral cooperation in fighting international crime and terrorism, while protecting confidential information about their citizens. 

EU Commissioner for Justice Vera Jourova said the privacy shield will protect EU citizens’ information and judicial security for enterprises. 

The new judicial framework will reassure people when their personal data are transferred to the US.

The agreement has been strongly criticized by activists and European MPs, who say the agreement has loopholes in protecting personal information. 

A Belgian official in charge of protecting privacy said activation of the privacy shield is on the right track, but he warned the EU and Belgium to be vigilant. 

In 2015 the European Court of Justice declared the old Safe Harbour framework invalid, saying it hadn’t provided enough security for EU citizens.