The European Union’s General Court on Wednesday upheld the bloc’s data-sharing pact with the United States, dismissing a legal challenge brought by French lawmaker Philippe Latombe.
The EU-US Data Privacy Framework, in effect since 2023, is the third attempt to establish a legal basis for protecting Europeans’ personal data transferred to the US. The two earlier frameworks Safe Harbor and Privacy Shield were struck down by the EU’s top court after challenges spearheaded by Austrian privacy activist Max Schrems.
In its ruling, the Luxembourg-based General Court said: “On the date of adoption of the contested decision, the United States of America ensured an adequate level of protection for personal data transferred from the European Union to organisations in that country.”
Latombe, a centrist lawmaker, had argued that the framework did not fully comply with EU data protection rules, citing concerns over bulk collection of Europeans’ personal information by US intelligence agencies. He sought the annulment of the agreement shortly after its adoption in 2023.
However, the court rejected his claims, stating it “dismisses the action in its entirety.”
The ruling was welcomed by business groups, which had warned of renewed uncertainty for transatlantic commerce if the agreement was struck down. The US-based Business Software Alliance (BSA) praised the decision, saying: “This outcome provides stability and reassurance for businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic who rely every day on trusted cross-border data flows.”
The decision preserves the continuity of digital trade between Europe and the US, easing concerns for companies dependent on seamless data transfers, though further appeals to the EU’s Court of Justice remain possible.
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