The European Union formally adopted the long-awaited Privacy Shield last week, which replaces the Safe Harbor framework as a mechanism to comply with E.U. data protection requirements for the E.U.-U.S. transfer of personal data. Companies can begin to self-certify compliance with the framework on August 1, 2016. “Companies cannot take the Privacy Shield lightly. It’s a much more detailed framework with more accountability” than Safe Harbor, Sidley Austin senior counsel Cam Kerry told the Cybersecurity Law Report. We review the Privacy Shield’s background, its key requirements and examine whether, when and how to join. See also “Deal Struck to Maintain the Transatlantic Data Flow” (Feb. 17, 2016).