EU wants more trust from US about personal data usage.

European Commission will demand a guarantee to protect its citizen from US cyber-spying.

13:13 28 November 2013

Following series of alleged National Security Agency (NSA) leaks, the European Commission will demand a guarantee to protect its citizen from US cyber-spying and wants response by summer 2014.

Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding said: "Massive spying on our citizens, companies and leaders is unacceptable.”

"Citizens on both sides of the Atlantic need to be reassured that their data is protected and companies need to know existing agreements are respected and enforced.

"There is now a window of opportunity to rebuild trust, which we expect our American partners to use."

Brussels and Washington presently recognize the Safe Harbour Principles, which was designed to ensure that US companies respect the fact personal data protection is considered a right in EU. For the past 13 years, 3,200 companies have signed up to this principle, which limit what they can do with data transferred outside the 28-country bloc. However, EU wants more trust from US about personal data US about NSA’s leaks.

Meanwhile, European Consumer Organisation said that the demands and recommendations are not enough. The body’s director general Monique Goyen said: "Better enforcement is crucial and we're glad to see that being examined.”

"But the ability of companies to self-certify as offering Safe Harbour is unjustifiable and remains inexplicably outside the review.

"It is hard to see the purpose of proceeding without tackling such basic flaws and perhaps the time has come to put the Safe Harbour agreement to one side and move on."