ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Data, the global leader in payment technology and services solutions, today announced that the United Kingdom Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has approved First Data’s Processor Binding Corporate Rules (BCR) application, granting the company permission to manage customer data across borders.
This approval follows a 2011 decision from the ICO granting First Data its Controller BCR, which specifically applies to the transfer of employee data across countries. First Data is now the first payments technology company to be approved for both BCRs, underscoring the strength of the company’s data privacy protection framework.
Approval by the ICO reinforces that First Data’s data privacy principles are aligned with the European Union’s (EU) Data Protection Directive, which is recognized as the most rigorous data privacy framework in the world. BCRs are considered the platinum standard for compliance with the EU directive.
“We are committed to setting the industry standard for superior data privacy protection,” said Cindy Armine-Klein, Chief Control Officer at First Data. “By conforming to the strict data privacy standards set forth by the EU, we can offer our clients the peace of mind that comes with knowing they have a trusted partner managing their data.”
“First Data should be commended for its commitment to the concept of binding corporate rules and for the respect for the privacy of individuals that this demonstrates,” said David Smith, ICO Deputy Commissioner. “The ICO welcomes approaches from multi-national organizations that need to share personal information within their own group, but outside Europe and who want to use binding corporate rules to enable that.”
As one of the first companies in the world to receive a Processor BCR, First Data can now operate under a common set of principles and processes to meet global data privacy standards.
About First Data
First Data is the global leader in payment technology and services solutions. With 24,000 owner-associates and operations in 35 countries, the company provides secure and innovative payment technology and services to more than six million merchants and financial institutions around the world, from small businesses to the world’s largest corporations. Today, businesses in nearly 70 countries trust First Data to secure and process nearly 2,000 financial transactions per second, totaling $1.8 trillion a year. First Data’s unparalleled infrastructure and partnerships go “beyond the transaction” with next-generation point-of-sale technology fueled by powerful analytics to detect fraud, gain insights into consumer spending, and strengthen customer loyalty. All day, every day, First Data helps its clients thrive in the evolving world of commerce.
