EU signs off on data transfers deal with US

The European Union on Monday approved a new data-transfer deal with the United States, ending three years of legal limbo and rebooting the transatlantic free flow of digital information.

The European Commission adopted a so-called adequacy decision, recognizing the U.S. as a country with sufficient protection for Europeans’ personal data that's sent there, effectively sealing the agreement, POLITICO reports.

The deal, known as EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework, revives transatlantic exchanges underpinning billions' worth of digital trade after the EU's top court struck down two previous agreements over fears of U.S. intelligence agencies' snooping.

"The new EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework will ensure safe data flows for Europeans and bring legal certainty to companies on both sides of the Atlantic," said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The U.S. government on July 3 said it had fulfilled its requirements under the agreement. A majority of EU countries also gave their formal backing last week, with 24 unspecified capitals in favor and three abstaining, according to a record of the vote.