Data protection: industry welcomes the new Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy Framework

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APPLiA Europe and other industry associations welcome the recent EU-US announcement of a new Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy Framework to strengthen data protection, support responsible data transfers, and enable continued transatlantic commerce. This new framework, as stated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, aims to «enable predictable and trustworthy data flows between the EU and US, safeguarding privacy and civil liberties.»

According to industry operators, ongoing uncertainty relating to data transfers has significant economic repercussions for EU enterprises, exports, jobs, innovation, and SMEs, and undermines the ability to promote high data protection standards.

«EU enterprises in all sectors and of all sizes – the industry Associations explains in an open letter – rely on their ability to transfer data responsibly around the world, even more so today as many have moved their businesses online amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Companies transfer personal data to send business e-mails, process payroll and global workforce data, work with suppliers, and serve customers around the world. However, the central beneficiaries of a new Framework will be EU and US citizens, who will benefit from strengthened personal data protections as new participant companies adopt the privacy controls required by the program, and as new governmental commitments on access to data are implemented».