US, Switzerland OK Trans-Atlantic Data Transfer Framework Similar to EU Arrangement
Switzerland and the U.S. agreed on a new framework for transferring personal data of Swiss citizens to American companies similar to the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield that came into force in August (see 1608010017), said Switzerland in a Wednesday news release.…
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The new framework replaces an older arrangement between the two countries. "The Swiss-US Privacy Shield is needed for the secure, efficient and rapid transfer of data," said the release. "The USA does not have legislation on data protection that guarantees an adequate level of protection in terms of Swiss law." Improvements include: a "stricter application of data protection principles" by participating companies; oversight of the arrangement by U.S. authorities; and closer cooperation between the Department of Commerce and Switzerland's Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner. "An arbitration body is being introduced to deal with claims that remain unresolved through other available remedies. Lastly, people living in Switzerland will be able to address enquiries relating to the processing of their data by US intelligence services to an ombudsperson in the US State Department," the release said. The government said U.S. companies will get certification under the new arrangement. Commerce didn't comment Wednesday.