Brussels and Washington reached agreement today on a data protection deal that will allow Europeans to sue over improper use of their personal information in the United States, EU Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova said.
"Once in force, this agreement will guarantee a high level of protection of all personal data when transferred between law enforcement authorities across the Atlantic," Jourova said of the deal, which still has to be approved by the US Congress.
"It will in particular guarantee that all EU citizens have the right to enforce their data protection rights in US courts."
The agreement, covering personal information transferred for law enforcement purposes, follows four years of talks bedevilled by European concerns about revelations of large-scale US snooping.
The deal also helps pave the way for EU plans to collect EU air passenger data, a measure sought by the United States after years of wrangling over how to protect personal information while fighting terrorism and serious crime.
