28 Jul European Court Slams EU Plan to Collect Traveling Citizens’ Private Data
Brussels, Belgium – Last Wednesday, the European Court of Justice (EJC) ruled against EU leaders’ draft to store and share blanket data of people flying from Europe to Canadian airports. EJC stated that the law could not be accepted in its current state, suggesting it must be revised.
The draft was intended between EU and Canada to collect and share passenger information in an effort to fight terrorist operations. It involves the Passenger Name Record (PNR) system, a sweeping data collection involving travel records, relationship standing, medical records, and financial capabilities.
According to the EJC, the PNR system violates the fundamental right to respect private life under the EU law. It also contradicts rights to protect personal information, with the law enabling storage and sharing of data for very long periods of time.
The PNR was first proposed between Canada and Brussels in 2014, but was rejected due to misalignment with fundamental EU laws.
Source: Express