Press Release

SoftLayerTM Technologies has self-certified compliance with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S.-European Union (EU) Safe Harbor framework.

The European Commission’s Directive on Data Protection, established in 1998, prohibits the transfer of personal data to nations that do not meet the EU’s “adequacy” standard for privacy protection. In consultation with the Commission, the U.S. Commerce department created the Safe Harbor framework to help U.S.-based companies verify and represent that they meet the EU standard. Self-certification and participation in the Safe Harbor framework is entirely voluntary.

“SoftLayer is very excited to be part of the Safe Harbor,” said Suzy Fulton, SoftLayer General Counsel. “Approximately half of our customer base is international. The importance of meeting our international customers’ needs continues to grow as our market becomes even more global. Safe Harbor self-certification provides them yet another level of assurance and reliability.”

Benefits of Safe Harbor:

• All 27 EU Member States are bound by the European Commission’s finding of adequacy
• Claims brought by European citizens against U.S. companies are heard in the U.S. (subject to limited exceptions)
• Member State requirements for prior approval of data transfers either are waived or approval is automatically granted
• Companies participating in the Safe Harbor are deemed adequate and data flows to those companies will continue.