Bilirakis Discusses EU Safe Harbor Negotiations

Today, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade and Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a joint hearing to discuss the status of EU Safe Harbor negotiations and the impact of transatlantic data flows from the recent European Court of Justice decision.

Witnesses from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, The Brookings Institute, the Business Software Alliance, and the Electronic Privacy Information Center discussed the next steps for the Safe Harbor agreement which allows for the secure transfer of consumer data between the U.S. and the EU.

Congressman Gus Bilirakis questioned the panel to help provide more clarity and certainty to businesses trying to compete in the global marketplace. Watch the exchange here.

"This agreement is important to so many businesses across our country," said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. "Data flow between the U.S. and the EU creates jobs and boosts our economy, two things this committee has been dedicated to cultivating. I am glad we are addressing this in a timely manner and working with stakeholders to create certainty and bring about the best possible agreement. Cross border data flow is now an essential component of daily operations for many businesses. We must allow innovation to flourish on a global scale so that American businesses can compete worldwide."