The move by Intel comes amid concern over the lack of US firms
willing to commit themselves to Safe Harbor. Many firms argue that
they would increase their liability by agreeing to the terms of the
scheme. The list of 72 US companies that have signed up since
November 2000 mainly comprises small and medium sized firms,
although some larger enterprises, notably Hewlett-Packard,
Microsoft and Yamaha, are also listed.
Intel’s decision to sign up may help promote the benefits of the
scheme for companies wishing to share personal data with EU member
states. There is concern that many companies are presently ignoring
the scheme and are transferring data from the EU to the US without
consent from the individuals concerned and in breach of EU data
protection laws.
