EU DPAs ask US further questions on the Privacy Shield

The dust has somewhat settled on President Donald Trump’s Executive Order threatening the privacy rights of non-US citizens, but the EU DPAs remain vigilant regarding the implementation of the EU-US Privacy Shield. The DPAs decided, in their 7 February plenary meeting, to write to the US authorities pointing out concerns and asking for clarifications on the possible impact of the Executive Order 'Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States' on the Privacy Shield and the Umbrella agreement. The DPAs also request assurances on the way personal data will be dealt with by US authorities regarding complaints under the Privacy Shield.

In the meantime, the DPAs are getting ready to deal with consumer complaints about US companies processing EU citizens personal data. The WP29 adopted two sets of template documents serving as complaint forms under the US Ombudsperson mechanism.

The WP29 has decided that the EU centralized body, in charge to channel complaints to the Ombudsperson, will be composed of five national DPAs and has adopted its rules of procedure.

The European Commission will conduct a joint annual review of the Privacy Shield with input from the DPAs. The review was originally expected for this summer, but now the WP29 press release says ‘in 2017’.

Follow developments regarding the EU-US Privacy Shield and international transfers in Privacy Laws & Business International Report.