The European Commission has released its report on EU-U.S. data flows, including a critique of the widely-criticized Safe Harbor framework , which makes 13 recommendations to improve the data-transfer mechanism. The commission says U.S. authorities have until summer of 2014 to implement the recommendations, at which point it will revisit the review. In this exclusive for The Privacy Advisor, U.S. Federal Trade Commissioner Julie Brill said she’s pleased the commission has indicated its support for maintaining Safe Harbor as a data transfer mechanism. “I think some of the recommendations—increasing transparency and making alternate dispute resolution accessible and affordable—would be helpful.” Dutch MEP Sophie in ‘t Veld told The Privacy Advisor that while she’s pleased there’s progress, the report is long overdue. “Maybe we’re now finally entering the phase where we no longer tolerate that our own EU rules are being overruled by third countries’ laws,” she said. Covington & Burling’s Henriette Tielemans said the report indicates a “genuine willingness on the part of the commission” to save Safe Harbor.
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