Courts / Dublin / Report

DigitalEurope asks to join action over Facebook EU-US data transfers

Summary

DigitalEurope, representing the digital technology industry in Europe, has applied to join a High Court action initiated by Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon over EU‑US data transfers via Facebook. The Commissioner seeks the High Court to refer key legal questions about the validity of standard contractual clauses (SCCs) used for data transfers to the Court of Justice of the EU. The case stems from Austrian lawyer Max Schrems' objections that Facebook Ireland's transfers to its US parent breach his EU data‑privacy rights. Judge Brian McGovern has fast‑tracked the case in the Commercial Court and granted leave for DigitalEurope to apply to join, with the application to be decided later. The judge set a hearing for 27 June. Similar applications have been filed by other bodies, including the US government, the Business Software Alliance, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: DigitalEurope asks to join action over Facebook EU-US data transfers. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• June 27th Other
• 2016-06-20 Publication

Why: Mr Schrems brought a complaint to the Commissioner here because Facebook has its European headquarters in Dublin. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Social Media Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report