Washington, D.C. – Attorney General Eric Holder has pledged the Obama administration’s support for legislation that would grant EU citizens the right to seek redress in U.S. courts for wrongful disclosure of their personal data transferred to the U.S. for law enforcement purposes.
The announcement comes as part of the conclusion of negotiations on the E.U.-U.S. Data Protection and Privacy Agreement (DPPA), which aims to advance cooperation on transnational crime and terrorism between the EU and the U.S.
Speaking at the E.U./U.S. Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial in Athens, Greece, Holder stated that the administration is committed to ensuring that EU citizens have the same right to seek judicial redress for intentional or willful disclosures of protected information as U.S. citizens under the Privacy Act.
“In a world of globalized crime and terrorism, we can protect our citizens only if we work together internationally, including through sharing law enforcement information with and by E.U. Member States and other close allies,” Holder said.
The proposed legislation would provide EU citizens with the right to seek redress in U.S. courts for wrongful disclosure of their personal data, including intentional or willful disclosures of protected information, and for refusal to grant access or to rectify any errors in that information.
The DPPA is an outgrowth of an initiative begun during the Bush Administration to establish an enhanced commitment to share information transatlantically to fight crime and terrorism, while also protecting privacy.
Holder’s statement in Athens also highlighted the importance of cooperation between the EU and the U.S. in countering violent extremism, responding to the issue of “Foreign Fighters,” and protecting victims of crime and persons with disabilities.
The Obama administration’s commitment to seeking legislation that would provide EU citizens with judicial redress in data leak cases is seen as a significant step forward in advancing cooperation on transnational crime and terrorism between the EU and the U.S.
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Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Cybercrime|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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