MEPs’ data transfer to the US: official complaint by 6 MEPs

On 22 January, a group of 6 MEPs and Max Schrems’ NGO, noyb, officially filed a complaint with the European Data Protection Supervisor.

MEPs point to the European Parliament’s COVID website which is managed by EcoCare, a subsidiary of the United Arab Emirates firm Ecolog. This website requests permission to transfer the personal data of its users (MEPs and their staff) to third party companies, including Google and the US company Stripe. Such personal data includes sensitive data, such as high-risk contacts if users have coronavirus symptoms.  

The MEPs and noyb consider this transfer to be a violation of GDPR, especially in the light of the recent judgment invalidating the Privacy Shield (EU-US data transfer agreement).

MEPs filing the complaint are most likely affiliated to Pirate Parties, such as the German Pirate Party and the Czech Pirate Party.

If you have any questions on these issues, please contact Camille Dornier - Policy Manager: camille.dornier@eurosmart.com