The EU/US Passenger Name Record (PNR) Agreement

The United States Government and other governments have long been using passenger lists to screen travellers and persons already on watch lists, or in whom they have some other interest, before they depart on a journey. Since 9/11 the focus has shifted to thwarting potential terrorists. These Passenger Name Records (PNR) contain information, such as travel itineraries and payment details, that can be analysed in conjunction with current intelligence to identify high-risk travellers.

The first agreement between the EU and the United States, in 2004, was an attempt to reconcile the public security demand for information with the EU laws on data protection. A second interim agreement was negotiated in 2006 after the first was annulled by the European Court of Justice. Now a third agreement is under negotiation.

It is the conflict between the security of the public and the privacy of the individuals who make up the public which is at the heart of this inquiry.

United Kingdom: House of Lords: Select Committee on the European Union: 21st Report (2006-07)HL 108 http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/ld200607/ldselect/ldeucom/108/108.pdf

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