Netherlands’ DPA and US FTC sign Memorandum of Understanding

The Netherlands’ Data Protection Authority and the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 9 March “to enhance information sharing and enforcement cooperation on privacy-related matters.”

While the agencies already cooperate as part of several privacy-related initiatives, the FTC says that it wants to secure the assistance of international privacy and Data Protection Authorities in its efforts to protect consumer privacy. The MOU recognizes the need for increased cross-border enforcement cooperation and sets out the two agencies’ intent regarding mutual assistance and the exchange of information for investigating privacy violations and enforcing the law.

Previously, the FTC has signed similar documents with Ireland’s and the UK’s Data Protection Authorities. All three countries have in the past started enforcement activity or conducted audits on US multinationals which have European headquarters, namely Google and Facebook.

The FTC is also a member of the DPAs’ Global Privacy Enforcement Network (GPEN), which was established to foster cross-border co-operation among privacy authorities.

See https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2015/03/ftc-signs-memorandum-understanding-dutch-agency-privacy
GPEN: https://www.privacyenforcement.net/

At Privacy in a Connected World, Privacy Laws & Business 28th Annual International Conference in Cambridge, 6-8 July 2015, Alan Charles Raul, Partner, Sidley Austin, Washington DC will speak about how Big Data is regulated in the US, Europe and Asia, and Wilbert Tomesen, Deputy Chairman, the Netherlands’ DP Commission will speak about the Commission’s enforcement strategy.