As if it weren't bad enough that travellers to the USA currently have to stand in line for hours awaiting entry, it now seems that European citizens flying to the USA could have their credit card and email accounts accessed by the American authorities, after the EU once again bent the knee to Washington.
According to Telegraph.co.uk, an agreement between the EU and USA in October means that passengers who book flights with credit cards could end up having other transactions scrutinised by US government agencies - and letting an airline know your email address might result in messages in and out of that account being read.
US authorities are now given access to 34 items from the Passenger Name Record (PNR), which EU airlines must provide from their computer systems. Among the information being handed over is any stated religious dietary requirements.
Initially, the report says, such info can be inspected for seven days but a reduced number of US officials could view it for three-and-a-half years.
However, any individual's file inspected during that period could remain open for eight years.
Although the information is gathered by border authorities, it can, the site says, be shared with domestic agencies and also with foreign governments on a case-by-case basis!
As with so many deals with the USA, this one looks decidedly one-sided. The report says that the US will encourage its airlines to make similar information available to EU governments but won't compel them to do so.
Check out the Telegraph's story - US 'licence to snoop' on British air travellers - then share your thoughts with us in the HEXUS.lifestyle.news forum.
