EU Adopts Agreement on Data Exchange With US Law Enforcement Authorities

BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — "On 2 December 2016, the Council adopted the decision authorising the European Union to conclude the so called "Umbrella agreement" which puts in place a comprehensive high-level data protection framework for criminal law enforcement cooperation," the press release said.

According to the European Council, the agreement improves EU citizens’ rights by "providing equal treatment with US citizens when it comes to judicial redress rights before US courts."

The agreement covers all personal data exchanged between police and criminal justice authorities of the EU countries and federal authorities of the United States with the aim of investigation, prevention, detection and prosecution of criminal offenses, including terrorism, the press release said.

At the same time, the agreement will provide guarantees of legitimacy of data transfers, including "provisions on clear limitations on data use, the obligation to seek prior consent before any onward transfer of data, the obligation to define appropriate retention periods, the right to access and rectification," according to the press release.

Members of the European Parliament endorsed the agreement on Thursday, with 481 voting for and 75 against.