Mixed Administration in the European Data Protection Directive: The Regulation of International Data Transfers

28 Pages Posted: 15 Mar 2013

See all articles by Francesca Bignami

Francesca Bignami

George Washington University - Law School

Date Written: 2004

Abstract

This article analyzes mixed administration through a detailed case study of the operation of the European Data Protection Directive in Italy. For purposes of this contribution, a mixed procedure is an administrative process, established by Treaty or European legislation, in which national and European administration share responsibility for a single determination of rights and duties under European law. The article proceeds in four parts. First, I analyze the mixed procedure for transfers of personal information to third countries as it appears on the face of the Data Protection Directive. Second, I describe the experience with the procedure in the brief period from implementation of the Data Protection Directive to the present day and conclude that it has not yet come to life. Third, I suggest that the sharing of administrative responsibility creates special problems for democratic accountability and, to a lesser extent, individual rights. Lastly, I turn to the larger puzzle of why member states sometimes decide to retain administrative authority for themselves, i.e. classic indirect administration, and other times decide to share it with the Commission and other member states sitting in comitology committees.

Keywords: EU law, privacy law

JEL Classification: K33

Suggested Citation

Bignami, Francesca, Mixed Administration in the European Data Protection Directive: The Regulation of International Data Transfers (2004). 1 Rivista Trimestrale di Diritto Pubblico 31 (2004), GWU Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2013-45, GWU Law School Public Law Research Paper No. 2013-45, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2232325

Francesca Bignami (Contact Author)

George Washington University - Law School ( email )

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