EP Approves EU-USA Agreement on Personal Data Protection

The agreement between the EU and the USA for the protection of personal data, exchanged for judicial purposes, was supported by a huge majority of European deputies on Thursday.

It will guarantee high and mandatory standards for the protection of personal data which is exchanged between the police and judicial bodies across the Atlantic.

The agreement covers the transfer of all personal data like names, addresses and criminal records, exchanged between the EU and the USA for the prevention, discovery, investigation and legal prosecution of crimes, including terrorism.

The agreement will guarantee that citizens on both sides of the Atlantic will have the right to be informed in the case of violations related to the security of personal data, incorrect information will be set right and they will be able to receive legal aid in court.

The agreement also sets limits on subsequent transfer of data and the period for which it may be kept.