Brexit took place on January 31, 2021. According to the EU Commission, the exchange of personal data between EU countries and Great Britain should still be possible without hesitation. We are currently working on a suitable process for this.
“Ensuring the free and secure flow of personal data is essential for businesses and citizens on both sides of the English Channel,” said EU Commissioner Vera Jourova. Great Britain has left the EU, but not the European data protection family.
In order for the data to continue to flow unhindered from July onwards, the EU states still have to agree to the recommendation of the EU Commission. An opinion from the European Data Protection Board will be obtained beforehand. After four years, the level of data protection in Great Britain is to be checked again.
The German economy is relieved to react to the EU decision
The German economy reacted with relief to the decision of the EU Commission: This is an “essential step towards European companies to facilitate the economic data transfer and trade across the channel”, said Iris Plöger from the executive board of the Federation of German Industries . This creates “urgently needed legal security for companies”. Susanne Dehmel from the Bitkom management also welcomed the EU Commission’s move. “We hope that the test will now be completed in a timely manner and that another tremor can be avoided.”
The EU has taken similar decisions with a view to other countries such as Argentina, Japan, Switzerland and New Zealand. This time, however, the situation is different because until recently the EU data protection rules still applied in Great Britain, but the country is no longer subject to them. From the point of view of the EU Commission, there is a risk that London will deviate from the common standard in the coming years. Therefore, there are strict monitoring and review procedures and the possibility of suspending or revoking such decisions, said Jourova. EU Justice Commissioner Dider Reynders pointed out that the flow of data is also important for effective cooperation in the fight against crime.