Statement of the U.S. Department of Commerce on the „EU – U.S. Privacy Shield“

5. February 2016

Not only European negotiators and institutions have given their opinion on the EU – U.S. Privacy Shield, also the U.S. Department of Commerce and the FTC Commissioner, Julie Brill, have made a public statement on the on the advantages of the implementation of the Privacy Shield.

On the 2nd February, the U.S. Department of Commerce stated that the EU – U.S. Privacy Shield improves, on the one hand, the commercial oversight and enhances privacy protections and, on the other hand, it demonstrates the U.S. commitment to limitations on national security. The statement of the Department of Commerce remarks the cooperation between the FTC and EU Data protection Authorities and its commitment to review the Agreement on an annual basis. Also, it ensures that the U.S. Intelligence Community has described in writing the constitutional, statutory and policy safeguards applied to its operations.

The FTC offered a live webcast on the 4th February in which the EU – U.S. Privacy Shield was explained by FTC Commissioner Julie Brill. During the webcast the main aspects of the EU – U.S. privacy Shield were explained. Julie Brill remarked the commercial relevance of this agreement and the acknowledgement by U.S Authorities that the rights of the individuals and national security should be balanced.