Cloud Computing: German security law could lock out U.S. tech companies
November 3, 2014
Grazed from TheHill. Author: Cory Bennett.
U.S. tech companies are worried a German law under debate could bar them from doing business in that country if it is approved. The bill could require companies to turn over source code and proprietary data to the German government or to private critical infrastructure companies, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.
U.S. companies see the language as a way to exclude them from government contracts, given German fears over the National Surveillance Agency’s (NSA) ability to access U.S. companies’ data. Although the bill is still in draft form, it is expected to eventually pass. The measure is the latest in a long string of incidents that have U.S. businesses worrying about lost revenue overseas following the disclosures of NSA spying programs…
In response, several major cloud computing companies have opened up EU data centers to ensure overseas customers can keep their data under the stricter EU data security standards. Amazon even targeted Germany specifically, so its German customers could ensure total compliance with local laws. Germany is seen as having the most stringent data protection laws in the EU…
Read more from the source @ http://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/222612-german-security-law-could-lock-out-us-tech-companies