Ireland’s DPA and US FTC sign a Memorandum of Understanding

Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner, Billy Hawkes, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with US Federal Trade Commission’s Chair, Edith Ramirez. The aim is to support increased cooperation and communication between the two agencies in their efforts to ensure protection of consumer privacy and data protection rights.

Hawkes said: "Given the increasing data flows across borders and the ever-increasing complexity and pervasiveness of information technologies, I very much welcome this important development which I believe will be of valuable assistance to my Office both as a basis for the sharing of experiences and knowledge of issues encountered by both agencies in their interactions with consumers and businesses and also in relation to cross-border enforcement cooperation where necessary".

The Commissioner looks forward to increased international cooperation on data protection matters. Several multinational IT companies have located their European headquarters in Ireland, including Facebook.

Commissioner Hawkes will speak at the Privacy Laws & Business 26th Annual International Conference 1-3 July 2013 about the audit that his office conducted on Facebook. Few places remain.