EU privacy watchdogs refused to give their full backing to a new transatlantic data transfer pact, asking the European Commission to avoid ratifying the deal before solving an array of remaining concerns.

“There is still work to do and we urge the European Commission to solve these concerns” regarding the use of data for commercial and for security purposes “before the final decision is taken,” said Isabelle Falque- Pierrotin, head of the group of EU data protection watchdogs.

The new deal, which replaces the Safe Harbour accord rejected by the European Court of Justice in October, seeks to address concerns that US spies had unfettered access to private data on European citizens. – (Bloomberg)