Berlin calls for EU-wide retention of PNR flight data / Data retention issue stymies EU air passenger bill

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Series Details 30.10.14
Publication Date 30/10/2014
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The German government called in October 2014 for the implementation of a EU-wide scheme on retention of flight passenger data - also called PNR data.

The call followed concerns caused by returning Jihadists who might increase security risks, but sparked opposition in the European Parliament. Some Members of the European Parliament accused EU officials in November 2014 of pushing through security policies and agreements on PNR exploiting the threat of foreign-fighters returning to Europe from conflict zones in Middle East.

The draft law that would oblige airlines to hand EU countries the data of passengers entering or leaving the EU, in order to help fight serious crime and terrorism, was discussed in the Civil Liberties Committee on the 11 November 2014. MEPs were still divided on the issue, but most stressed the need to assess the European Court of Justice ruling annulling the data retention directive, to assess whether existing measures suffice before taking new ones and to put in place adequate data protection safeguards.

Despite an upcoming EU Court analysis on the probity of co-financed PNR systems, the European Commission awarded €50 million to member states to set them up, according to EUObserver on 25 November 2014.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.euractiv.com/sections/infosociety/berlin-calls-eu-wide-retention-pnr-flight-data-309604
Related Links
ESO: Background information: Europe at risk of 'huge number' of returning jihadist fighters http://www.europeansources.info/record/europe-at-risk-of-huge-number-of-returning-jihadist-fighters/
ESO: Background information: EU keen to revive passenger data bill after Brussels terrorist attack http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-keen-to-revive-passenger-data-bill-after-brussels-terrorist-attack/
EUObserver, 05.11.14: MEPs clash with EU officials over foreign fighters http://euobserver.com/justice/126396
EUObserver, 11.11.14: Data retention issue stymies EU air passenger bill http://euobserver.com/justice/126473
ESO: Background information: EU court scraps data surveillance law http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-court-scraps-data-surveillance-law/
European Parliament: Press Release, 11.11.14: MEPs debate plans to use EU Passenger Name Record (PNR) data to fight terrorism http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20141110IPR78121/
EUObserver, 25.11.14: EU funds airline data-sharing despite legal concerns http://euobserver.com/justice/126663

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