EU and US Reach Deal On Airline Data

gambit3 writes "According to the BBC, the EU and the US have struck a new deal for sharing airline passenger data. It will replace a deal struck down by the European Court of Justice in May, which allowed the US its own access to passenger data. Under the deal, the EU will 'push' the data — 34 pieces of information per passenger — to the US, replacing the current 'pull' system. The new deal will expire at the end of July 2007."

Comments

Re:So what's changed?

[Anonymous Coward]

nothing, it's just that they did not get their wish for even more data granted.

personally I'd like to see proof that ANY effect has come out of this other than of course a massive breach of privacy.

jacquesm posting on the road as AC

Re:So what's changed?

[Richard Steiner]

Well, the US can't go rummaging around for unrelated information in the second case -- they only get what they're given.

Frankly

[Timesprout]

We should just tell the US to go fuck themselves over the data and not travel there. If anything US airline security has been shown to be so poor we should be the one imposing the ridiculous restrictions on them coming here.

Re:Frankly

[Anonymous Coward]

Good point. I'ld wish more Europeans would realize the fault here lies not with the Americans asking for that data - it lies with European governments bending over when Bush tells them to. I second what someone posted above - the EU should tell the U.S. to go fuck itself and refuse to hand over any data. In fact, we should tell the U.S. to go fuck itself on general principles until the American public decides to return into the community of civilized nations and runs their insane moron in chief and his fuckwit friends out of office. Who knows, that might inspire the citizens of Europe to get rid of that corrupt abomination known as the EU commission (hey, a man can still dream !).

Re:So what's changed?

[Anonymous Coward]

The only change is that the whole thing is legal now.

The previous agreement was claimed to be legal until the court pointed out that it plainly wasn't. This agreement is only legal until the court again (after a long and expensive process) points out that it plainly isn't.

The only change is that it's changed. And that is the point.

Re:What about US citizens?

[traveller604]

Since EU is made of good countries we don't have to be paranonoid. We don't need to waste our resources to stuff like this. We don't care. It doesn't concern us. People don't hate us like they hate you because of your goverment and attitudes like the one you represent in your post. EU isn't bending over, it's simply being diplomatic, plus I'm sure USA is paying some kind of a price for this. They just don't tell you that :p

Why on Earth does the USA need all this info?

[Panaqqa]

So, the USA thinks the following information will help them determine if I am a terrorist or not:

• Whether or not I order a vegetarian or Kosher meal
• My email address
• The fact that I occupy a window or an aisle seat
• The fact that I might want to go on a museum tour
• That I missed a connecting flight in 2002

Funny, but I don't see terrorists these days showing up to the airport to buy a one way ticket in cash, ordering a Halal meal, and pre booking a tour of The White House and The Capitol.

IMHO they are demanding this data because they need to be seen to be doing something, and because the current US government has had a good deal of success with bullying tactics. So tell me: if I paid for my ticket with a credit card issued to an online gambling company, will I be arrested? Will I come under suspicion if one of the other members of the group I am travelling with is on the infamous "No Fly" list? Will the fact that I have dual citizenship and two passports, and that I use either passport depending on destination, raise flags? Let's say my visa was issued on one passport, but somehow the record shows the other one?

This is just an excuse for a massive fishing expedition, and I fully expect the information they get to be misused. The current US government has demonstrated repeatedly that it cannot be trusted, and will do whatever it wants to regardless of international agreements, common sense, or fair play.

It is too bad that the EU knuckled under on this. America can apply American law all it wants in America, but it has to get over this thinking that its laws supercede those of other sovereign nations.

Re:What are the 34 data items?

[bogie]

How about "Passenger is wearing a t-shirt is another language so he must be threat."?

It's certainly an effective means of distinguishing potential terrorists. If you don't look, act, and think just like you MUST be a terrorist or terrorist supporter. I never thought I'd see the day when my president said that.

Re:Maybe America is right???

[scsirob]

Well, hi there, Aaron.

Don't you think that with this as public knowledge, people with bad intentions will make sure they order their ticket including return flight from a reputable travel agency (who couldn't care less who they sell their ticket to), using a pristine 'John Smith' passport showing no irregularities whatsoever? It's pretty easy to hijack the identity of any John Smith so the passport and records would be just peachy. No problem traveling with well-known airlines either, and I'm sure they won't tick the 'kosjer' box in the food selection box either. They may be scary backward folks, but they are *not* stupid.