BRUSSELS – February 19, 2021 – BSA | The Software Alliance welcomes today’s draft decision by the European Commission to grant the UK data adequacy status, offering the following statement.

“BSA is delighted that the European Commission has released its positive data adequacy draft decision for the UK. This will help provide long-term confidence that data will continue to flow between the two partners post-Brexit. British and European businesses of all sizes in sectors as diverse as agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, and banking are united by the need to send data smoothly across the Channel in a privacy-protective way,” said Thomas Boué, Director General, Policy – EMEA at BSA.

The ability to send data across international borders using appropriate privacy safeguards has become even more important amid the COVID-19 crisis, as companies increasingly shift their businesses online and rely more heavily on remote workplace tools and cloud-based technologies.

“In our global and increasingly digital economy, we must keep as many responsible data transfer tools as possible on the table,” Boué added. “Once formally approved, Europe’s UK adequacy decision will offer another stable, reliable mechanism that businesses, governments, and people can trust to transfer personal data between two of the world’s most open and innovative economies.”