The EU is about to sell our most sensitive data to the US for visa-free travel (edri.org)

Article summary

The European Commission is finalizing negotiations with the US on an Enhanced Border Security Partnership, which would allow the US to access biometric databases of EU citizens. This agreement is a condition for the US to maintain visa-free travel for EU citizens. The draft text of the agreement has raised concerns about the protection of fundamental rights and the potential for excessive surveillance. The EU is being criticized for caving in to US demands for unfettered access to personal data.

Main themes

• Data Protection
• Border Security
• US-EU Relations
• Surveillance
• Fundamental Rights
• Visa-Free Travel

What commenters say

• The EU should not compromise on data protection and fundamental rights, even if it means losing visa-free travel to the US.
• The US is not a trustworthy partner for data sharing due to its history of human rights violations and democratic backsliding.
• The real threat to individual freedom comes from local authorities, not foreign entities, and therefore the focus should be on addressing domestic issues.
• The EU has mechanisms in place to protect citizens' rights and block unwanted agreements, and these should be utilized to resist US pressure.
• The benefits of visa-free travel outweigh the potential risks of data sharing, and the EU should prioritize facilitating travel between the two regions.
• The collection and sharing of biometric data is a necessary measure for border security and preventing forgery, and the EU should cooperate with the US on this issue.
• The EU's own data collection and surveillance practices are just as problematic as those of the US, and the focus should be on addressing these domestic issues rather than criticizing the US.
• The agreement would not significantly impact the average traveler, and the concerns about data protection are overstated.