JUDGES at the European Court of Justice tore up a “safe harbour” deal yesterday that let technology companies store users’ data in the United States.

The European Union’s top court struck down the agreement following a complaint from an Austrian citizen against Facebook’s subsidiary in Ireland.

Because citizens of EU member states do not have a say on the potentially insecure conditions under which their details are kept in the US, the five-judge panel said that the unrestricted transfer of information should be stopped.

In an earlier statement, the judges also voiced concerns about spying by the US National Security Agency, although data collected by European spy agencies is shared with the US snoops anyway.

The case will now go back to Ireland, where judges are anticipated to uphold the court’s ruling.

However, the issue may be reopened if shady trade deal TTIP comes into force, as it will allow firms to sue governments to weaken business regulations.