Statement by Commissioner Věra Jourová on the signature of the Judicial Redress Act by President Obama

On the occasion of the signature of the Judicial Redress Act, Justice Commissioner Věra Jourová said:

"I welcome the signature of the Judicial Redress Act by President Obama today. This new law is a historic achievement in our efforts to restore trust in transatlantic data flows. The Judicial Redress Act will ensure that all EU citizens have the right to enforce data protection rights in U.S. courts, as called for in President Juncker's political guidelines. U.S. citizens already enjoy this right in Europe.

The entry into force of the Judicial Redress Act will pave the way for the signature of the EU-U.S. Data Protection Umbrella Agreement. This agreement will guarantee a high level of protection of all personal data, regardless of nationality, when transferred across the Atlantic for law enforcement purposes. It will strengthen privacy, while ensuring legal certainty for transatlantic data exchanges between police and criminal justice authorities. This is crucial to keep Europeans safe through efficient and robust cooperation between the EU and the U.S. in the fight against crime and terrorism.

In parallel, the Commission is working to put in place the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield, ensuring a high level of data protection for commercial data transfers, as agreed on 2 February."

More information on the Umbrella Agreement is available in a Q&A.

STATEMENT/16/401