Data protection concerns go to Europe

The Irish Data Protection Commissioner is to refer concerns to the European Court of Justice that could have significant implications for multinational companies such as Facebook.

Last year the European Court of Justice (CJEU) struck out the so-called Safe Harbor data exchange agreement between the EU and the United States following complaints from Max Schrems, an Austrian legal student who argued that the agreement did not provide adequate provisions to protect European citizens’ data, particularly in light of revelations surrounding US surveillance operations.

Mr Schrems brought his specific complaint against Facebook to the Irish Data Protection Commissioner, as the social media company’s international headquarters are based in Dublin.