U.S. and European Union Edging Toward Data Deal
The U.S. and the European Union are nearing agreement on how U.S. companies can comply with EU laws governing online privacy after almost a year of talks, according to wire service reports.
The European Commission, the EU’s executive agency, has agreed to limit the power of EU national data-protection authorities over U.S. companies, resolving a key sticking point in the talks, U.S. Commerce Undersecretary David Aaron told a press briefing. He said he hopes for a final agreement “before the end of the year.”
“The commission has put forward an idea on the whole issue of implementation and monitoring and enforcement that puts much heavier emphasis on self-regulation and the responsibilities of U.S. business,” Aaron said. “I think that holds a promise of providing a breakthrough.”
