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Europe debates stealing more data from travellers

by on14 November 2014

Apparently makes them safer

European MEPs are thinking about ratifying proposal outlined in 2011, which would oblige Europe-based airlines to share detailed personal information on any passenger entering or leaving Europe. 

The EU Passenger Name Record (PNR) is supposed to help investigations into criminal or terrorist activity. Last time the law appeared it was rejected, but Civil Liberties Committee rapporteur Timothy Kirkhope (ECR, UK) has emphasised that threats to the security of the European Union have increased over the last year.

"We must put in place our own EU rules and standards […] as soon as possible" Kirkhope said.

The draft bill was discussed in the Civil Liberties Commission and MEPs were not sure it was a good idea. Kirkhope said that he would ask shadow rapporteurs from other political factions to a meeting regarding possible action. German MEP Jan Philipp Albrecht maintains that PNR offers shallow justification for disclosing private details to law enforcement and other agencies by default.

The details include name and address, phone number, credit card information, itinerary details and email addresses.

Albrecht pointed out that demands for saving passenger data without cause is nothing more than a placebo.

“They try to react to fears at the cost of citizens' rights and principles of the rule of law. These data will not help finding pretended IS fighters. In many cases, foreign fighters are well-known suspects meaning basic approaches for investigation and threats already exist.”

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