Google unveils EU data transfer plans

Search giant Google plans to make it easier for users of its online productivity suite to move their data outside of the European Union.

In a blog post , the firm announced plans to introduce model contract clauses into its Google Apps for Business packages.

Over four million businesses use Google Apps for enterprise needs, and we want to offer our customers a diverse range of compliance options.

The clauses allow organisations within the EU to move their data to non-member state countries without falling foul of the European Commission's Data Protection Directive.

"Over four million businesses use Google Apps for enterprise needs, and as this number grows, we want to offer our customers a diverse range of compliance options to help them meet their regulatory requirements," said Marc Crandall, senior manager of global compliance at Google Enterprise, in the blog post.

"Google's adoption of model contract clauses, along with our continued participation in the US-EU Safe Harbor Framework and our recent ISO 27001 certification, will provide our customers with an even wider palette of EU regulatory compliance options."

However, Dominic Saunders, senior vice president of the NETconsent business unit at security vendor Cryptzone, said the clauses will have to be understood by the entire organisation to be of use.

"Data Protection is not just about having the right words in your policy," he said. "Unless everyone in the organisation, and their third party contractors, are aware of these policies and understand what their specific responsibilities are, it becomes just another tick in the box exercise, rather than delivering true compliance."