European student group files complaints with the EU against US tech giants over NSA spyingMadison Ruppert The complaints were filed by EVF in Ireland against Facebook and Apple, in Luxembourg against Skype and Microsoft and in Germany against Yahoo. Complaints against Google and YouTube are forthcoming but could not be filed immediately because they do not use European intermediaries. Instead, the group will have to follow a different path since Google has data partners in Belgium, Finland and Ireland. Since the subsidiaries are based in the EU, the group maintains that they are subject to EU data privacy laws. If a European subsidiary sends user data to the American parent company, this is considered an export of personal data, the group explained in an announcement. Under EU law, an export of data is only allowed if the European subsidiary can ensure an adequate level or protection in the foreign country. There can in no way be an adequate level of protection if they cooperate with the NSA on the other end of the line, Max Schrems, EVF speaker, said in a statement according to CNET. Right now an export of data to the U.S. must be seen as illegal if the involved companies cannot disprove the reports on the PRISM program, Schrems added. While some of the major firms involved have confirmed that they received requests for data from the government, they have issued cleverly worded denials about their involvement in the PRISM program. The complaints filed by EVF are backed up by the 2006 SWIFT case in which EU data protection authorities ruled that mass transfer of data to the US breaches EU law. The case involved the SWIFT payment processor transferring transaction details to American authorities through a data center in the United States. EVF seeks to have data protection authorities in Germany, Ireland and Luxembourg decide if it is legal for European subsidiaries of American companies to mass transfer personal data to a foreign intelligence agency, namely, the NSA. We want a clear statement by the authorities if a European company may simply give foreign intelligence agencies access to its customer data, the group said. They added that if the authorities decide that it is, in fact, legal to do so, a change in law might be required. The group also seeks to gain more insight into how the companies handle user data since European procedure forces companies to say precisely what they do with the users data. If the companies remain silent and do not submit credible evidence, then they run the risk of not being allowed to transfer data to their US parent companies, the group stated. This means they would have to rearrange their whole infrastructure. We will of course ask for access to the files. We are already excited to see what companies have to say. Id love to hear your opinion, take a look at your story tips and even your original writing if you would like to get it published. I am also available for interviews on radio, television or any other format. Please email me at Admin@EndtheLie.com Please support our work and help us start to pay contributors by doing your shopping through our Amazon link or check out some must-have products at our store. This article first appeared at End the Lie. Madison Ruppert is the Editor and Owner-Operator of the alternative news and analysis databaseEnd The Lie and has no affiliation with any NGO, political party, economic school, or other organization/cause. He is available for podcast and radio interviews. Madison also now has his own radio show on UCYTV Monday nights 7 PM 9 PM PT/10 PM 12 AM ET. Show page link here: http://UCY.TV/EndtheLie. If you have questions, comments, or corrections feel free to contact him at admin@EndtheLie.com linkwithin_text=Related Articles: 