. 24/7 Space News .
CYBER WARS
EU launches controversial internet privacy deal with US
By Lachlan CARMICHAEL
Brussels (AFP) July 12, 2016


The European Union on Tuesday launched a controversial deal with the United States aimed at curbing government spying on the personal internet infomation of European citizens.

The deal replaces one struck down by the EU's top court in October, a decision which left firms like Google and Facebook in legal limbo over whether they could transfer data to their US headquarters.

The court struck down that deal based on an Austrian activist's case against Facebook in Ireland, and its judgment cited US snooping practices exposed by former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden.

"The EU-US Privacy Shield is a robust new system to protect the personal data of Europeans and ensure legal certainty for businesses," said EU Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova, launching the deal with US Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker in Brussels.

The deal will take effect within hours once EU member states are formally notified, European officials told AFP.

- Privacy 'milestone' -

"The approval of the privacy deal is a milestone for privacy at a time when the sharing of data is driving growth in every sector," Pritzker told a press conference with Jourova.

The deal will "facilitate more trade across our borders, more collaboration across the Atlantic and more job creating investments in our communities," Pritzker said.

Jourova insisted the deal offers the "highest standards" to protect the personal data of EU citizens.

But critics say it amounts to "a little upgrade" over the previous arrangement, called Safe Harbour.

Austrian internet activist Max Schrems, who brought the original case against Facebook, said the new deal was likely to face fresh legal challenges.

- 'Bad for users -

"This deal is bad for users," Schrems said in a statement on Tuesday, adding that it was the result of pressure from Washington.

The old agreement effectively meant that Europe treated the United States as a safe destination for internet data on the basis that Brussels and Washington adhered to similar standards.

Safe Harbour was declared "invalid" by the European Court of Justice, citing National Security Agency documents leaked by Snowden in 2013.

Top US companies including Facebook, Google and Microsoft in particular have been eager to end the legal void, because they transfer data from their European subsidiaries to their headquarters in the United States.

The deal includes commitments by the US to limit the use of bulk-collected intelligence, the appointment of a US ombudsman to deal with complaints by European citizens, and fines for firms that do not comply.

The deal will also be subject to an annual review.

But activists and European lawmakers are highly critical. They call the deal still highly deficient in terms of protection from US government access to data, as well as safeguards from bulk data collection.

The European Parliament in May asked the EU to continue negotiating with the United States for a better deal.

It said the proposed US ombudsman to deal with complaints by European citizens would neither be "sufficiently independent" nor have enough powers to act.

But Markus Beyrer, director general of Brussels-based BusinessEurope, said the deal "will enhance legal certainty for thousands of businesses on both sides of the Atlantic while providing an adequate level of protection for citizens' data."

The members of Industry group DIGITALEUROPE are "ready to begin the re-certification process" through the US department of Commerce when it begins on August 1, communications director Paul Meller told AFP.


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


.


Related Links
Cyberwar - Internet Security News - Systems and Policy Issues






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

Previous Report
CYBER WARS
New artificial intelligence beats tactical experts in combat simulation
Cincinnati OH (SPX) Jul 01, 2016
Artificial intelligence (AI) developed by a University of Cincinnati doctoral graduate was recently assessed by subject-matter expert and retired United States Air Force Colonel Gene Lee - who holds extensive aerial combat experience as an instructor and Air Battle Manager with considerable fighter aircraft expertise - in a high-fidelity air combat simulator. The artificial intelligence, d ... read more


CYBER WARS
Russia to spend $60M in 2016-2018 to fund space voyages to Moon, Mars

Russian Moon Base to Hold Up to 12 People

US may approve private venture moon mission: report

Fifty Years of Moon Dust

CYBER WARS
Unusual form of sand dune discovered on Mars

Mars Rover's Sand-Dune Studies Yield Surprise

ChemCam findings hint at oxygen-rich past on Mars

Curiosity rover analysis suggests Mars has oxygen-rich history

CYBER WARS
Exploring inner space for outer space

Quantum technologies to revolutionize 21st century

Blue Origin has fourth successful rocket booster landing

TED Talks aim for wider global reach

CYBER WARS
Dutch Radio Antenna to Depart for Moon on Chinese Mission

Chinese Space Garbageman is not a Weapon

China to launch its largest carrier rocket later this year

China committed to peaceful use of outer space

CYBER WARS
Down to Earth: Returned astronaut relishes little things

NASA Ignites Fire Experiment Aboard Space Cargo Ship

A Burial Plot for the International Space Station

Three astronauts touch down after 6 months in space

CYBER WARS
Russia to Continue Rocket Engine Supplies to US Under Existing Contracts

India launches 20 satellites in single mission

LSU Chemistry Experiment Aboard Historic Suborbital Space Flight

Spaceflight contracts India's PSLV to launch 12 Planet Dove nanosats

CYBER WARS
Teenagers at Keele University Discover Possible New Exoplanet

What Happens When You Steam a Planet

How Planetary Age Reveals Water Content

When it comes to brown dwarfs, 'how far?' is a key question

CYBER WARS
India May Buy Russian Microcircuits for Its Space Program

Space Debris Solutions - Revisited

Researchers improve catalyst efficiency for clean industries

A little impurity makes nanolasers shine









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.