EU-US sign agreement to protect accessible data

Agreement improves EU citizens' rights by providing equal treatment with US citizens when it comes to judicial redress rights

The European Union (EU) and the US have signed the "Umbrella Agreement", which puts in place a comprehensive high-level data protection framework for criminal law enforcement cooperation, an official statement said on Thursday.

The agreement improves, in particular, EU citizens' rights by providing equal treatment with US citizens when it comes to judicial redress rights before American courts, according to the statement issued by the Council of the EU.

The agreement was signed by Dutch Minister of Security and Justice Ard van der Steur and Commissioner for Justice Vera Jourova on behalf of the EU, and by Attorney General Loretta Lynch on behalf of the US authorities.

"This agreement symbolises the values the US and the EU share. It will improve cooperation between US and European Law enforcement authorities when combating serious crime and terrorism. It will advance the full respect for fundamental rights whenever personal data is being transferred between us," said Minister Van der Steur.

The agreement covers all personal data exchanged between police and criminal justice authorities of the EU member states and the US federal authorities for the purpose of prevention, investigation, detection and prosecution of criminal offences, including terrorism.

The agreement would facilitate criminal law enforcement cooperation while providing safeguards and guarantees of the legality of data transfers, the statement added.