The European Commission is moving to put the handover of
airline passenger data to the US authorities on a sound legal basis
after the European Court of Justice blocked the measure last
month.
The handover of data had been agreed between the European Union
and the US, and the EU ordered airlines to provide data – including
names, addresses, forms of payment, contact phone numbers and other
details - on passengers flying to the US from Europe.
But the court ruled that there was not “an appropriate legal
basis” either for the agreement to hand over the information, or
for a European Commission’s finding that the data was adequately
protected by the US. Fundamental data protection rights had “been
infringed”, it said.
Now the commission is to recommend termination of the agreement
with the US before the end of this month. But it is seeking
authorisation to open negotiations on a new deal that would provide
a sounder legal basis for handing over the data.
In a statement, the commission said, “With the adoption of these
initiatives only two weeks after the Court ruling, the EU
Commission underlines its willingness to fully respect the Court's
judgement.
“It also confirms its commitment, while respecting fundamental
rights and freedoms, to continue the fight against terrorism and to
help ensuring public security and activities by public authorities
in areas of criminal law.”