Google and Dropbox are just the latest U.S. tech giants to register with the Privacy Shield, a framework that enables companies on both sides of the Atlantic to exchange personal data files in adherence to E.U. data protection requirements.
Google's certification was registered on September 22 and Dropbox's the following day, according to The Register. Microsoft signed onto the accord – designed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and European Commission – in August, and Amazon announced its intention to enroll as well.
U.S.-based enterprises have been able since August 1 to self-certify, thus avoiding added compliance requirements yet to take effect.
Not all are in agreement with the strictures, however. A German group, the Article 29 Working Party, raised objections over "mass and indiscriminate collection of personal data" by U.S. authorities, and cited the absence of rules on automated decisions among other concerns. The watchdog committee said it will not challenge the arrangement for a year.
