SIIA welcomes the European Commission’s report about privacy and surveillance released today. The report is an important step for advancing the intergovernmental dialogue between Europe and the United States in both commercial privacy and government surveillance.

However, we are concerned about the suggestion that restrictions on data collection and use by commercial entities should be a part of a response to concerns about government surveillance. In particular, we think it a mistake to hold hostage the crucial Safe Habor framework for transatlantic data transfers pending a resolution of government surveillance issues. Modifications of this framework should stand or fall on their own merit and not be looked at as substitute response to concerns about government surveillance.

David LeDuc is Senior Director, Public Policy at SIIA. He focuses on e-commerce, privacy, cyber security, cloud computing, open standards, e-government and information policy. Follow the SIIA public policy team on Twitter at @SIIAPolicy.