Europe's highest court just rejected the 'safe harbor' agreement used by American tech companies
David Ramos/Getty Images
What this means is that companies such as Facebook and Twitter may now need to host European user data in Europe, rather than hosting it in the US and transferring it over.
Here's the press release from the European Court of Justice:
ECJ
*YAY* #CJEU on #SafeHarbor:SH invalid. DPC had to investigate.#EUdataP
- Max Schrems (@maxschrems) October 6, 2015
Breaking: European Court of Justice: "Transfer of the data of Facebook's European subscribers to the United States should be suspended"
- Kamal Ahmed (@bbckamal) October 6, 2015
The ruling comes after privacy advocate Max Schrems brought a case against Facebook in Ireland. He said his privacy had been violated by the NSA's mass surveillance programs first revealed by whistleblower Edward Snowden. Schrems is Austrian, but brought the case against Facebook in Ireland because the company's European headquarters are in Dublin.
Here's Schrems at the European Court of Justice today awaiting the ruling:
Cuej: Max Schrems attend la décision sur #Facebook #SafeHarbor pic.twitter.com/wrcGaZQMwh
- Aurélie Mayembo (@aureliemayembo) October 6, 2015
The Data Protection Commissioner, Ireland's data regulator, rejected his case because it was bound by a legal agreement called the Safe Harbor agreement - which Schrems subsequently appealed, resulting in the current European Court of Justice case.
- I got a $40K raise using this 30-second strategy. It made me realize loud work, not hard work, always wins.
- Qatar Airways' new CEO explains why it's sticking with the Airbus A380 as other airlines retire the costly superjumbo
- Prince Harry and Meghan found out about Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis on TV like everyone else, report says
- Kia India looks to expand sales, service network to 700 touchpoints by year-end
- Shapoorji Pallonji’s Afcons Infra files DRHP for ₹7,000 crore IPO
- Water crisis affects businesses across Bengaluru; Is there room for cautious optimism?
- BenQ Zowie EC2-CW review – Premium wireless mouse for gamers
- Banks' GNPAs set to improve further to 2.1 pc by FY25: Care Ratings