US-UK Data Sharing Program Goes Into Effect

A partnership to combat online and digital crime between the U.S. and United Kingdom goes into effect today, marking another international bilateral agreement authorized by the Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data, or CLOUD Act.

The “landmark” agreement, according to a press release issued by the Department of Justice, will enable law enforcement in both countries to use critical data to combat crime, while recognizing civil rights and privacy standards. 

“The Data Access Agreement fosters more timely and efficient access to electronic data required in fast-moving investigations, through the use of orders covered by the agreement,” the DOJ press release states. “This will greatly enhance the ability of the United States and the United Kingdom to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute serious crime, including terrorism, transnational organized crime and child exploitation, among others.”

Justice officials previously announced this agreement in July. 

The agreement specifies that officials in both nations must have evidence of serious crime to invoke the provisions in the law and that neither nation can target residents from one country located in another. 

U.S. authorities have entered into other CLOUD agreements with ally nations such as Australia. The U.S. and U.K. governments have also previously worked in tandem to foster a joint privacy-enhancing technology program to promote the development of new systems that prevent financial crime.