The move by Intel comes amid concern over the lack of US firms willing to commit themselves to Safe Harbor. Many firms argue that they would increase their liability by agreeing to the terms of the scheme. The list of 72 US companies that have signed up since November 2000 mainly comprises small and medium sized firms, although some larger enterprises, notably Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft and Yamaha, are also listed.
Intel’s decision to sign up may help promote the benefits of the scheme for companies wishing to share personal data with EU member states. There is concern that many companies are presently ignoring the scheme and are transferring data from the EU to the US without consent from the individuals concerned and in breach of EU data protection laws.