This Feb 23, 2019 file photo shows the number display for error codes inside of a computer in Jersey City, New Jersey, the United States. EU lawmakers on May 11, 2023 urged the European Commission to continue talks to reinforce a proposed data transfer pact with the US, saying there were still shortcomings in the agreement. (PHOTO / AP)
BRUSSELS – EU lawmakers on Thursday urged the European Commission to continue talks to reinforce a proposed data transfer pact with the United States, saying there were still shortcomings in the agreement.
The move could further delay an accord which is critical for thousands of companies.
EU countries have yet to adopt a non-binding opinion after which the executive will make its final decision on the pact
The EU executive in a draft decision in December said that US safeguards against American intelligence activities were strong enough to address EU data privacy concerns.
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Such worries had prompted Europe's top court to strike down two previous data transfer pacts, affecting thousands of companies that move Europeans' personal data across the Atlantic for commercial use such as financial services, human resources and e-commerce.
"This new proposal contains significant improvements, but unfortunately, we are not there yet," lawmaker Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar said after the assembly voted in a non-binding resolution against the proposed pact.
He said there were still missing elements on judicial independence, transparency, access to justice, and remedies.
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"So, we call on the Commission to continue negotiations and properly address these concerns. The mechanism must genuinely protect the data of EU citizens and businesses," he said.
EU countries have yet to adopt a non-binding opinion after which the executive will make its final decision on the pact.