WASHINGTON – The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), BSA | The Software Alliance, and DIGITALEUROPE released the following statement today regarding the conclusion of negotiations between the European Commission and the U.S. Department of Commerce on a strengthened mechanism for transatlantic data transfers called the EU-US Privacy Shield:

“Today’s economy is online and it runs on data, and so the biggest winners here are the EU and U.S. economies,” said ITI President and CEO Dean Garfield. “We congratulate European and American negotiators for their efforts to work through these complex issues and reach an agreement that is essential to innovation, job creation, and economic growth. Once fully enacted, this agreement will provide a basis for companies to reliably move data across the Atlantic, while upholding citizens’ fundamental rights to privacy and data protection.”

“We, Europe and the United States, are in this together, and are encouraged by this achievement that will promote a stable and secure environment,” said Victoria Espinel, President and CEO of BSA | The Software Alliance. “We and our member companies stand ready to work with data protection authorities and all interested stakeholders to determine ways to ensure a smooth transition to this much-needed new framework.”

“We applaud the work of the European and US negotiators over recent months,” said John Higgins, Director General of DIGITALEUROPE. “We believe that this new framework agreement will re-establish a sustainable path for data transfers between the EU and US while safeguarding data privacy and bringing legal clarity to businesses. We call on Europe’s data protection authorities to continue to honour the use of other transfer mechanisms until this new agreement has been assessed fully.”

Cross-border data flows play a critical role in the modern economy, including the half-trillion dollar transatlantic trade relationship, which has grown since the Safe Harbor Framework was agreed upon in 2000. In October 2015, the Court of Justice of the European Union effectively invalidated the Safe Harbor Framework, requiring EU and U.S. negotiators to meet a January 31, 2016 deadline set by European regulators to reach a new transatlantic data transfer agreement.

Contact

Duncan Neasham (ITI): (202) 524-5543Anna Hughes (BSA): (202) 530-5177Paul Meller (DIGITALEUROPE): +32 2 609 53 39

About ITI

The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) is the global voice of the tech sector, celebrating its 100th year in 2016 as the premier advocacy and policy organization for the world’s leading innovation companies.  In both the U.S. and in countries around the world, ITI navigates the relationships between policymakers, companies, and non-governmental organizations, providing creative solutions that advance the development and use of technology around the world. Visit www.itic.org to learn more and follow us on Twitter for the latest ITI news @ITI_TechTweets.

About BSA

BSA | The Software Alliance (www.bsa.org) is the leading advocate for the global software industry before governments and in the international marketplace. Its members are among the world’s most innovative companies, creating software solutions that spark the economy and improve modern life. With headquarters in Washington, DC, and operations in more than 60 countries, BSA pioneers compliance programs that promote legal software use and advocates for public policies that foster technology innovation and drive growth in the digital economy.

About DIGITALEUROPE

DIGITALEUROPE represents the digital technology industry in Europe. Our members include some of the world's largest IT, telecoms and consumer electronics companies and national associations from every part of Europe. DIGITALEUROPE wants European businesses and citizens to benefit fully from digital technologies and for Europe to grow, attract and sustain the world's best digital technology companies. DIGITALEUROPE ensures industry participation in the development and implementation of EU policies. DIGITALEUROPE’s members include 60 corporate members and 37 national trade associations from across Europe.  Our website provides further information on our recent news and activities: http://www.digitaleurope.org