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European Parliament Considers Sharing Passenger Information By Default

An anonymous reader writes The EU Passenger Name Record (PNR) proposal which was defeated in April of last year has returned to consideration in the European Parliament today. The law would require that airlines provide extensive personal details of anyone flying into or out of Europe. The information would include name, address, phone numbers, credit card information and travel itinerary. Director of Europol Rob Wainwright says that PNR is within the bounds of "reasonable measures" in the struggle against terrorism, and that possible threats against Europe have increased in the more than 12 months since the law was last rejected. Dutch MEP Sophie In't Veld is arguing that the Data Protection Directive should be put into place before any such systematized disclosure be ratified. "They want unlimited powers," she said. "they don't want to be bound by rules or data protection authorities and that's the reality."

33 of 58 comments (clear)

  1. With one condition by Thanshin · · Score: 4, Funny

    I would allow this with one condition.

    For each single case of an individual's data being stolen, the current director of Europol and the one in place at the moment of the steal spend a year in prison and Europol pays to the individual $1M plus whatever is stolen from his accounts.

    1. Re:With one condition by Your.Master · · Score: 1

      What relevance does that have?

  2. Typical by wideglide · · Score: 1

    My guess is that the biggest threat top europes citizens are europes politicians and the law enforcement / terror prevention organizations

    --
    The sum of intelligence on a planet is constant. Nowadays we have more people. When classic goes away, so do I. Copy
  3. Fear by Aethedor · · Score: 5, Insightful

    And the reason for this all: fear. Fear for terrorists, fear for being held responsible, fear for the unknown. We live in a world in which we no longer accept any kind of risk. No matter how low that risk. Well, at least risks we are aware of. We fear terrorists, we fear ebola, we fear being robbed in the streets while at the same time we smoke, eat unhealthy food, practice dangerous sports and get in the car. Every day we do things that are more dangerous than the things we fear most.

    Yes, terrorists should be stopped, but not at all cost. And there is no way to make 100% sure no terrorist will ever hit us. So, stop pretending we can! Stop wasting our time, money and privacy to give us false security! And if a terrorists hits us and kills 20 people, is say: that's bad but it isn't the end of the world. Life goes on. In the same time more people are killed for other reasons and we don't even hear about them!

    Look at Boston. Despite all the anti-terrorist measures in America, it was still possible to do this kind of attack. And what happened to Boston? Nothing, they moved on. And that's how it should be done. Yes, it's easy for me to say because I haven't lost any family or friends in that attack. But that is the right way to look at it for politicians. Respond to it with logic and common sense and not with fear and emotion. Because that only makes it worse!

    --
    It doesn't have to be like this. All we need to do is make sure we keep talking.
    1. Re:Fear by Harlequin80 · · Score: 2

      I agree completely but fear and being seen to do something to protect people from that fear wins votes. It is essentially "won't someone think of the children" writ large at a national scale.

    2. Re:Fear by Aethedor · · Score: 1

      I agree. But I also believe that if someone took the time and specially the courage the tell the people the truth, he/she would get even more votes. But to do so, that person first needs the proper understanding of this matter. And that's where the problem starts.

      --
      It doesn't have to be like this. All we need to do is make sure we keep talking.
    3. Re:Fear by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      And the reason for all of this "fear"? Control. Easier to control the populace if they're in a constant state of fear.

      Having said that, not all of us buy into fear - so I disagree with your general use of "we". I haven't asked for government protection nor do I require it. There are plenty of risks in daily life - most anything can happen - and it seems to me you don't really have much choice other than deal with it.

      Personally, I believe mainstream media are partly to blame with their 24/7 "breaking now" mentality.

    4. Re:Fear by Harlequin80 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Go back to the 80s and look at London and the rest of the UK. The IRA was threatening all sorts of bloodshed and people made a point of still going out and living their lives. It was promoted that to not live you life as normal was letting them win. To me it felt like 9/11 changed that attitude world wide.

    5. Re:Fear by Aethedor · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Politics is mostly to blame for that. Even here in the Netherlands we have awareness campaigns like 'Netherlands against Terrorism'. We don't have any significant terrorist threat in the Netherlands. None of us has ever seen a terrorist and will most likely never do. So, the only thing that campaign does is put fear in our minds.

      --
      It doesn't have to be like this. All we need to do is make sure we keep talking.
    6. Re:Fear by Aethedor · · Score: 2

      Personally, I believe mainstream media are partly to blame with their 24/7 "breaking now" mentality.

      Of course, people started to become numb for that. Remember, the media's job is not to bring the news, but to sell the news. Keep that in mind when reading / listening to the news.

      --
      It doesn't have to be like this. All we need to do is make sure we keep talking.
    7. Re:Fear by Thanshin · · Score: 3, Insightful

      No.

      The reason for this is people's ignorance. They want the information and they just chose the excuse that's easiest to justify in the current situation.

      If the cold war was still on, the reason to ask for all the data would be "communists!".
      Then it was "Drugs!".
      Now, it's "Terrorists!".
      Soon it will be "Pandemia!".
      Later "Organized crime!".
      And then "Aliens!".

    8. Re:Fear by jenningsthecat · · Score: 3, Insightful

      And the reason for this all: fear... Every day we do things that are more dangerous than the things we fear most... Respond to it with logic and common sense and not with fear and emotion.

      Your sane, logical argument almost tempts me to forget my belief that the source of all these silly, over-the-top 'precautions' is not fear - it's greed, and lust for power. The fear you speak of does exist among the people, but it is a fear that has been purposely manufactured and is carefully nourished. Entire industries have sprung up around 'terrorism'; millions of (entirely parasitic) jobs are on the line, as well as minor and not-so-minor financial empires. Creating and fuelling paranoia is big business - hell, it's a growth industry, and a saviour to the military-industrial complex once threatened by the end of the Cold War.

      The question to ask, always, is "cui bono?" Governments, (i.e. the executive branches of trans-national corporations), use propaganda as advertising, to sell fear and to promote compliance with authority.

      --
      'The Economy' is a giant Ponzi scheme whose most pitiable suckers are the youngest among us and the yet-unborn.
    9. Re:Fear by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      And then "Aliens!".

      I know you are joking, but unfortunately I know the last bit is no joke from personal experience. It is a whole different ball-game when you involve that particular can of worms.

    10. Re:Fear by Aethedor · · Score: 1

      I agree with most of what you've said. However, I don't think it's lust for power, it's lust for money. Yes, the weapons industry was threatened by the Cold War ending and America needed a new enemy to keep that industry running. The terrorists became that new enemy. However, it's a relative small amount of people to whom this cause applies. The rest of us simply repeat and believe their call: fear the terrorists!

      --
      It doesn't have to be like this. All we need to do is make sure we keep talking.
    11. Re:Fear by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      To me it felt like 9/11 changed that attitude world wide.

      What? Ironically, not here in the USA, where if you don't buy that SUV, the terrists win. No, here it is emphatically necessary that you not only keep doing the things you were doing before, but do even more! For the 'conomy! 'merica!

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    12. Re:Fear by Vitriol+Angst · · Score: 1

      There was panic over Ebola and fewer people in the US have died from it than have been killed by rubber ducks in bath tubs. We've spent at leas $4 Trillion going after terrorists for 9/11 which killed around 3,000 people. We've had more deaths from the flu or collateral damage from SWAT teams. Threats don't seem to be commensurate with their real effect on human life, but in how they manipulate public opinion and divert us from self empowerment. Humanity landed a craft on an asteroid and all most people knew was Kim Kardashian showed her butt on a magazine. Is this really about making money on advertising dollars or do we at some point wonder if there isn't a concerted effort to keep everyone ignorant and fearful?

      If we spent our money making America better or the world a better place, we'd be more secure and the average American would be better off. Yes, terrorism is a jobs program -- but one that produces drag on the economy. Scanning each other with metal detectors doesn't teach a kid, it doesn't fix a bridge, it doesn't put a solar collector on a roof. In short; it's yet another way to suck money out of the economy and create support for that waste. Most people are convinced their jobs are vital, and are not created by regulation or makework -- but as we automate more, that's true of more and more people.

      And this industry demands fear and insecurity -- if there is terrorist, they have to create one. I'm sure our drone strikes which happen far away from any oversight are creating a new crop of "people who just hate us for our freedom" (and not a lack of opportunity and living under fear and exploitation).

      The path we are on is towards a dystopian future. We have to chance course, the same disease that is destroying our prosperity and disenfranchising 3rd world countries is killing the environment and basically making life suck for all but a few. The good news is that we can decide as a people to change this, the bad news is the media and the black box voting machines are owned by the same cabal that profits from the terror industry.

      --
      >>"ad space available -- low rates!!!"
    13. Re:Fear by dkman · · Score: 1

      or do we at some point wonder if there isn't a concerted effort to keep everyone ignorant and fearful?

      No need to wonder, there is. But don't try to tell that to anyone, they don't want to listen.
      Those who do know/care are too few to matter. It is akin to the 2 party political system - no one can break in because the party members don't want to split the vote and let the "other" party win. Even if 10 new party people did break in, they're still drowned out by the rest of the fools in Congress.
      So do I think it's kind of pointless, sure, but is it worth fighting and trying to do some good - you bet your ass! Even slow progress is some progress.

      --
      I refuse to sign
  4. Who needs Soviet Russia by future+assassin · · Score: 1

    when you got terrorists laughing their asses of at their post 911 win. I don't think any of them could have wished for a better win.

    --
    by TheSpoom (715771) Uncaring Linux user here. I have nothing to add to this but please continue. *munches popcorn*
  5. Re:This data is collected at hotel checkin already by Chrisq · · Score: 2

    Just for your information: hotels in many European countries are required by the law to collect your personal information upon check-in

    That's mot the same as an EU-wide law. Some countries don't have any reauirements. See CMS Guide to Principal Hotel-Specific Laws in Europe and China.

  6. Re:This data is collected at hotel checkin already by aaaaaaargh! · · Score: 1

    You confuse the local laws of some countries with EU law.

  7. Did it ever do any good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Show ONE example where extensive data exchange has ever prevented a "terrorist attack".

    The only reason could be to aim for full insight in peoples where-abouts. I would imagine this does not have any effect on terrorist or criminal's activity. They have other ways of remaining undetected.

  8. Credit Cards? by Great+Big+Bird · · Score: 1

    A lot of that information seems reasonable if you want to know who is crossing into and out of your border. But why credit cards?

    1. Re:Credit Cards? by Charliemopps · · Score: 1

      A lot of that information seems reasonable if you want to know who is crossing into and out of your border. But why credit cards?

      I suspect to cover situations like Osama Bin Laden flying in his Nephew to do the bombing for him since he can't get in.

      I'm not saying that makes any sense if you actually think about in for a few seconds, but I bet that's their reasoning.
       

    2. Re:Credit Cards? by Evtim · · Score: 1

      Not really. I asked for one when I had to go to the US [in 2005] - never needed it before. Most online retailers for instance would have an agreement with the banks so you can pay with you debit card [the Dutch system for instance is called iDEAL] rather than credit. Of course Amazon is not like that --> in fact 95% of my usage of the thing is because of amazon.....

      I still have to meet an European who does not think that paying your restaurant bill with credit card is idiotic...

    3. Re:Credit Cards? by petermgreen · · Score: 1

      I suspect that when they say "credit card information" they will actually include information for other types of payment card as well.

      --
      note: i'm known as plugwash most places but i screwd up registering that here somehow in the past and now can't register
  9. How to fight terrorism by AndyKron · · Score: 1

    If you want to fight terrorism, quit treating other people like pieces of shit.

  10. Mice by Charliemopps · · Score: 2

    You don't keep mice out of your house with mousetraps. You keep them out by sweeping up all the crumbs on your floor so they have no reason to come in anyway.

    1. Re:Mice by sociocapitalist · · Score: 1

      You don't keep mice out of your house with mousetraps. You keep them out by sweeping up all the crumbs on your floor so they have no reason to come in anyway.

      Thank you Master Po.

      --
      blindly antisocialist = antisocial
  11. It's how the EU works by 0123456 · · Score: 1

    If they don't vote the right way the first time, they're made to vote again and again until they do. Of course, as soon as they vote right once, they don't get another one.

  12. Re:This data is collected at hotel checkin already by TheRaven64 · · Score: 1

    I don't remember being asked to show ID on checking into a hotel anywhere in Europe. In the US, however, credit card and photo ID are the first things that they ask for at every checkin desk at every hotel I've stayed at (about a dozen over the last couple of years, in quite a few states).

    --
    I am TheRaven on Soylent News
  13. Reasonable measures in fight against terrorism? by lippydude · · Score: 1

    'Director of Europol Rob Wainwright contends that PNR constitutes “reasonable measures” in the fight against terrorism'

    and how soon after will such data be used to compile a no-fly list, to be used to harass anyone who criticizes the state security apparatus.

    'The U.S. government is blacklisting people as terrorism suspects based on secret standards and secret evidence. People on government watchlists are questioned, harassed, detained, and even barred indefinitely from flying — and the government denies them any meaningful way to correct errors and clear their names' ref

  14. Re:This data is collected at hotel checkin already by dunkelfalke · · Score: 1

    Had to show my id in several hotels in Germany, Czech republic, Finland...

    --
    "It's such a fine line between stupid and clever" -- David St. Hubbins, Spinal Tap
  15. Re:This data is collected at hotel checkin already by jratcliffe · · Score: 1

    Have had to in Italy, Germany, the UK, Netherlands, Austria, probably several more.

    As to the ID and credit card thing in the US, that's the hotel's doing - they want to make sure they get paid, and that the person using John Smith's credit card actually is John Smith, and not some guy who's going to raid the minibar and walk out with the towels and the TV.