DOJ, EU Officials Begin E-Evidence Sharing Negotiations

DOJ and European Commission officials began formal negotiations Wednesday on an E.U.-U.S. agreement to “facilitate access to electronic evidence in criminal investigations,” the department announced Thursday. The sides will review progress at the E.U.-U.S. Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial in December. “This type of agreement can enhance public safety and national security by providing an improved and more rapid ability to identify and respond to criminal threats on both sides of the Atlantic,” Attorney General William Barr said, citing assurances to respect the rule of law, privacy and civil liberties. Negotiations “will strengthen our security, while protecting the data privacy and procedural safeguards of our citizens,” said European Commissioner for Justice Vera Jourova.