Internet

Data protection agreement with the US – doubts remain

By the approval of the EU Commission, the new data protection agreement with the USA, “Privacy Shield” – in force of a tug of war kicked in, after months. Critics say it is still too lax.

US state Secretary Pritzker (l) and EU Commissioner Jourova in Brussels

The new personal data protection agreement between the European Union and the United States is a done deal. According to the member States, the EU gave the Commission the green light to the “Privacy Shield” (a shield for privacy) agreement. “Privacy Shield” to protect the fundamental rights of citizens and companies in the TRANS-Atlantic data transfer. The agreement replaced the previous agreement of the “Safe Harbor”, which had been declared for 2015 by the European court of justice to be invalid.

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“We have worked very hard with our American partners, a restart of the store,” said EU justice and consumer protection Commissioner Vera Jourova (article photo right) in Brussels. The US state Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker (left), spoke at the common appearance of a “milestone,” the EU and the USA with a “Privacy Shield”.

More options to suit

According to Jourova, the new agreement offers significant improvements over the “Safe Harbor”. The actual enforcement of the new privacy regulations by US agencies can be better guaranteed. The proceedings for Europeans against violations had been expanded. In addition, only those personal data should be accessible for third parties, which are absolutely necessary for a particular purpose.

The Austrian Facebook-critic, Max Schrems, had brought the court process into roles, and in his sharp polemic against the scheme. “It is miles and miles away from what has demanded that the court” that defendant Schrems. Critics, in particular, that the US is likely to collect in the service of national security of mass data of citizens. You could do this in the fight against espionage, terrorism, weapons of mass destruction or a threat to the American armed forces.

Austrian Internet Activist Max Schrems

As continues to be insufficient, the MEP Cornelia Ernst (die Linke) rated the new agreement. “The Privacy Shield is nothing more than a false-Faced: What it is, is simply not there, because you can talk it is still so beautiful,” said Ernst. US safety authorities could continue to “access freely” on personal data. Similar to the Green MEP Jan Philipp Albrecht: “The U.S. will provide for the individual Rights against the company and the protection against disproportionate Surveillance by security agencies, no data protection, the Standards in the EU, equivalent to the” complained of Albrecht.

“A shield with many holes”

As a “shield with lots of privacy-holes” referred to the EU-Parliament member Birgit Sippel (SPD) of the agreement. “It comes to a lawsuit, is a second Failure before the European court of justice is very likely,” said Sippel.

European and German industry – and trade associations welcomed the new agreement. The Federation of German industry, the BDI, spoke about a “Central Element of Europe’s digital competitiveness”.

In annual Meeting of representatives of the EU and the US want to ensure that the rules of “Privacy Shield” are complied with. For EU citizens, the EU wants to create a Commission, a citizens ‘ guide that explains the new provisions in a simple manner.

SC/mak (afp, APE, dpa)