Govt brokering info-sharing deal with EU: diplomats
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Data sharing: the Australian Government is working on a deal to get access to EU air-passenger details. (File photo) (AFP: James Morgan)
European Union diplomats say Australia and the EU plan an anti-terrorism agreement that will give the Federal Government access to private data on air passengers coming from the 27-nation bloc.
The deal will be similar to those reached between the EU and the US and Canada as part of anti-terrorism plans after the September 11, 2001, attacks on US cities.
European airlines currently give Washington access to 19 pieces of passenger data, including address and credit card details, 72 hours before departure. This can be kept for 15 years. EU airlines also send passenger information to Canada.
"We are working on a mandate to allow the European Commission and the European Union Presidency to negotiate an agreement with Australia," an EU diplomat said on Thursday, adding that the EU would try to adopt the mandate this month.
"We are seeking a very high level of protection of personal data," another diplomat said, adding that it would be more stringent than the deal struck with the US.
- Reuters
