Facebook has told Ireland's Data Protection Commission that it cannot see how it can continue operating in the European Union if regulators' proposal to suspend overseas data transfers between the EU and United States is implemented. In the event that Facebook becomes subject to a complete suspension of the transfer of users' data to the US, it is not clear "how, in those circumstances, it could continue to provide the Facebook and Instagram services in the EU", Facebook said in a regulatory filing to the Irish DPC. Facebook alone has about 410 million monthly active users in Europe. This was first reported by VICE News. On August 28, the Commission had issued a preliminary order to suspend data transfers to the US since a key mechanism to send data from the EU to non-member countries — standard contractual clauses (SCC) — which is used by Facebook, is no longer considered valid by the DPC. Facebook has filed a lawsuit challenging the Irish DPC's preliminary order. In a new filing by Yvonne Cunnane, Facebook Ireland's head of data protection and privacy, the company accused the regulator of selectively acting against Facebook and failing to follow due process. Not enough time given to Facebook to respond: Facebook said the regulator's three-week timeline to Facebook for a response to its preliminary decision was "manifestly inadequate" and amounted to breach of fair procedure. It gave the impression that the Commission will "give little weight" to Facebook's submissions and that the regulator will not change…
