What moves in the EU on the topic of Single Digital Market?

Well, yesterday Commissioner-designate for Single Ditigal Market Ansip's hearing in the EU Parliament took place.

A selection of relevant quotes from the EurActive website (http://www.euractiv.com/sections/innovation-enterprise/ansip…):

“We must protect everyone’s privacy. Data protection will be an important cornerstone of the Digital Internal Market. The citizens must have trust in this project,” Ansip said.

The 57-year-old said he plans to promote rapid implementation of the Data Protection Directive and put pressure on the 28 heads of state and government, to finally come to an agreement.

Ansip also said he would not rule out suspending the so-called Safe Harbour Agreement with the United States.

“Safe Harbour is not secure. The Agreement has yet to live up to its name,” Ansip criticised.

The Agreement regulates transmission of personal data from European to American companies. American firms can register with the U.S. Department of Commerce and commit to certain data protection guidelines.

3,246 firms have registered since September 2013, including giants like Facebook, Microsoft and Google. According to Ansip, the United States should provide more specific conditions in an escape clause allowing restrictions to data protection on the basis of national security.

“If the U.S. Government does not make a clear statement, we must consider suspending the Agreement,” said Ansip.

Justice Commissioner-designate Věra Jourová expressed a similar view during her hearing last Wednesday (1 October).

A significant majority in the European Parliament voted in May, to suspend the Safe Harbour Agreement as a reaction to the NSA revelations by whistleblower Edward Snowden.

For the full report: http://www.elections2014.eu/en/new-commission/hearing/201409…