Data Adequacy Gets Green Light From EU Commission

Today (19 February), the EU has published its draft decisions on data adequacy with the UK. The decisions - which approve the UK as having adequate data protection for the transfer of personal data from the EU - is the beginning of the adoption process.

The agreements must now receive an opinion from the European Data Protection Board (EDPB - though they cannot stop the agreement), and must be approved by a committee composed of representatives of the EU Member States.

Upon completion, the Commission can move to implement the agreement.

Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency, said:

“Ensuring free and safe flow of personal data is crucial for businesses and citizens on both sides of the Channel. The UK has left the EU, but not the European privacy family. At the same time, we should ensure that our decision will stand the test of time. This is why we included clear and strict mechanisms in terms of both monitoring and review, suspension or withdrawal of such decisions, to address any problematic development of the UK system after the adequacy would be granted.”

The full draft decision can be accessed here.

The DMA will provide regular updates as adequacy makes its way toward implimentation.