Privacy at risk from slack EU governments

12.00.00am GMT Tue 13th Jun 2006

Ahead of a European Parliament debate and vote on new rules to protect data on individuals accessed for police and security purposes, Liberal Democrat European justice spokeswoman Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP is warning Europe's governments that they risk stalling important EU work by failing to agree them.

"Vital projects involving exchange of information to increase the security of Europe's borders are being held up because ministers are failing to approve safeguards to ensure privacy."

"These new rules are also essential to the conclusion of a new agreement with the US - after the European Court struck down the first version - on airlines transferring data on transatlantic air passengers."

"This data protection measure is an indispensable part of an overall package of security initiatives. Europe's citizens need to know that their personal data is safe and not open to abuse if accessed for policing purposes."

Note:

Sarah Ludford is 'rapporteur' on a proposal for an EU database whereby information on visa applicants would be shared by Member States so as to stop visa-shopping, fraud etc. It is also intended that police and intelligence services will have access for prevention and investigation of terrorism and serious crime.