Final changes to the EU-US Privacy Shield have been agreed upon by both sides. The new system is set to replace the old Safe Harbour data sharing agreement between the United States and the EU, after it was ruled 'inadequate' by the European Court of Justice in 2013, following Edward Snowden revealing the details of the NSA's access to European citizens' data. The EU-US Privacy Shield will do more to protect EU citizens' data from mass surveillance. Under the agreement, the US government will need to create an ombudsman whose role it will be to deal with European complaints about US spying. In the interests of fairness and impartiality, this ombudsman will not be allowed to be from the national security services. The US Office of the Director of National Intelligence will also need to provide a written promise that the US will not subject EU citizens' online data to mass surveillance. There will also be restrictions on how much data the US will be able to gather in the first place. Under the new agreement, bulk data sharing will only be allowed in specific circumstances and this data will have to be in its most specific and targeted form. Companies will also be required to delete data that is no longer needed. The EU-US Privacy Shield will be subject to yearly reviews to make sure the system is working as it should be. If all EU member states agree to this new pact, it is expected to take effect in July.Â
