Policy Observatory
Two MEPs voted againts closed sessions on Safe Harbour
Eu Observer reports that MEP German Cornelia Ernst along with Dutch liberal Sophie In't Veld voted to suspend the so-called in-camera session on Safe Harbour. In-camera sessions are not open to the public. It also means MEPs are under threat of sanctions should they discuss the issue outside the room.
Safe Harbour is enforced by the US Federal Trade Commission and is supposed to ensure US firms follow EU data protection laws when processing the personal data of EU citizens. Last November, the former EU justice commissioner Viviane Reding published 13 recommendations that the Americans needed to implement in order to keep the agreement viable. The commission official, invited to update the MEPs on the negotiations, revealed that Washington has an issue with three of the 13 recommendations.
Country: EU
Domains: Privacy IG
Stakeholder: European Bodies
Tags: Federal Trade Commission, Safe Harbour, MEP, in-camera session, EU data protection law, European Commission, agreement