Agilent Technologies Signs U.S./Europe Safe Harbor Agreement to Promote Data Privacy.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers PALO ALTO Palo Alto, city, California Palo Alto (păl`ō ăl`tō), city (1990 pop. 55,900), Santa Clara co., W Calif.; inc. 1894. Although primarily residential, Palo Alto has aerospace, electronics, and advanced research industries. , Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 4, 2001 Framework Enhances Protection of Personal Data Transmitting from European Union European Union (EU), name given since the ratification (Nov., 1993) of the Treaty of European Union, or Maastricht Treaty, to the European Community Countries Agilent Technologies This article needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Alone, primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of this article are not sufficient for an accurate encyclopedia article. Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :A) today announced it has joined the small but growing number of leading U.S. companies in promoting customer privacy by signing the U.S./Europe "safe harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. " agreement on data privacy. Agilent is one of the largest technology firms to have signed the agreement, along with Intel Corporation (company) Intel Corporation - A US microelectronics manufacturer. They produced the Intel 4004, Intel 8080, Intel 8086, Intel 80186, Intel 80286, Intel 80386, Intel 486 and Pentium microprocessor families as well as many other integrated circuits and personal computer networking and Hewlett-Packard Company. The agreement provides legal protection and a framework to safely transfer personal information from European Union countries to the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . Companies that sign the safe harbor accord agree to give European Union residents adequate data-privacy protections, including notice about how their personal information is used, the ability to limit disclosure of that information, and access to the data. The agreement has been negotiated between the U.S. Department of Commerce and European Union data protection authorities. "Agilent places the highest priority on customer privacy," said Jim Allen, Agilent's director of customer privacy. "Our company's global privacy policies are consistent with the European Union's principles for data protection, so our signing the safe harbor agreement is a logical next step in our commitment to customer privacy. In signing this critical agreement, we want to reassure our European customers that we treat their data in the most ethical manner." Agilent initiated its internal customer privacy program in November 1999 when it began doing business as an independent company while separating from HP. The program has been sponsored at the highest levels within the company. "Customers are our number one priority," said Ned Barnholt, Agilent president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. . "Building a long-term business relationship with them depends a great deal on trust, and this trust begins with our commitment to protecting their privacy." For the past two years, the company has been awarded the BBB BBB A medium grade assigned to a debt obligation by a rating agency to indicate an adequate ability to pay interest and repay principal. However, adverse developments are more likely to impair this ability than would be the case for bonds rated A and above. Online Privacy Seal, signifying that Agilent meets or exceeds stringent privacy standards set by the Better Business Bureau. The BBB Online Privacy Seal program is well known in the United States and Canada. It is now becoming the highest standard for privacy in many other parts of the world. The safe harbor agreement between the United States and Europe went into effect last November. Since then, 100 companies have signed the accord. European authorities plan to review U.S. corporate compliance this fall, and possibly begin enforcement actions soon after. About Agilent Technologies Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics and life sciences. The company's 43,000 employees serve customers in more than 120 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $9.4 billion in fiscal year 2000, as restated to reflect the sale of its healthcare business. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com. |
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