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Facebook sues Ireland over future of EU-U.S. Privacy Shield

Facebook is suing Ireland's top privacy regulator amid a battle over the future of the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield.

Ireland's Data Protection Commission sent a preliminary order to Facebook this week asking the company to stop transferring EU user data to the U.S., claiming Facebook was violating a recent court decision that struck down the privacy shield.

It would be technically difficult for Facebook to silo EU user data. "A lack of safe, secure and legal international data transfers would have damaging consequences for the European economy," Facebook said in a statement. "We urge regulators to adopt a pragmatic and proportionate approach until a sustainable long-term solution can be reached."

Emily Birnbaum

Emily Birnbaum ( @birnbaum_e) is a former tech policy reporter with Protocol. Her coverage focuses on the U.S. government's attempts to regulate one of the most powerful industries in the world, with a focus on antitrust, privacy and politics. Previously, she worked as a tech policy reporter with The Hill after spending several months as a breaking news reporter. She is a Bethesda, Maryland native and proud Kenyon College alumna.

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