EU-US data transfer pact faces legal hurdles

Significance

The Framework’s adoption would be facilitated by the possible passage in the United States of a long-awaited federal consumer privacy law. European data protection authorities have recently banned data transfers covered under standard contractual clauses (SCCs).

Impacts

• The Irish data protection authority’s decision on Meta’s data transfers will have a substantive impact on Meta’s European operations.
• New complications may arise with the European Commission’s Data Act proposed on February 23.
• The use of a US executive order to enforce the TADP Framework will make the pact hostage to electoral shifts.