E.U. Fires a Shot Across The Bows Of U.S. Tech Giants: They Can't Escape Rules

[engine]

U.S.-based technology firms Google Inc. (GOOG), Facebook Inc. (FB), Apple Inc. (AAPL) and other non-European companies that offer services in the European Union must abide by its overhauled data-protection rules, according to the bloc’s justice chief. E.U. Fires a Shot Across The Bows Of U.S. Tech Giants Can't Escape Rules [bloomberg.com]

The same limits have to apply to all companies that do business in the 27-nation area, EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding said in a speech in Brussels today. Consumers in Europe need to know that their data is processed in line with European rules “that reflect the fact that data protection is a fundamental right,” Reding said.

[lucy24]

Outrageous. You're supposed to follow the laws of the places you do business in? What's next-- companies based in the Caribbean being asked to pay taxes in the countries they derive their income from?