All European countries have agreed to the EU-US Privacy Shield. The new system will 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. The EU-US Privacy Shield will protect EU citizens' data from mass surveillance by the US. It is expected to take effect next week. 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. 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. An EU spokesperson praised the decision of all EU countries to agree to the pact, saying: “The EU-US Privacy Shield will ensure a high level of protection for individuals and legal certainty for business.â€Â
