EU, Canada Agree on Passenger Name Record Data Transfers
The EU and Canada agreed on the transfer and use of airline passenger name record (PNR) data, the EU Council announced Monday. PNR data includes names, travel dates, seat numbers, contact details and means of payment. Once the agreement is finalized, the EU will be able to shift such information to Canada to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute terrorist offenses and serious transnational crimes, the Council said.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
The accord includes privacy and data protection safeguards. For example, it prohibits processing sensitive PNR data such as information that reveals racial or ethnic origin or political opinions. Independent public authorities will ensure that privacy safeguards are observed, the Council noted.
The agreement will become effective when the EU and Canada notify each other that their internal procedures are complete. Monday's Council decision completed the EU's internal process, it said.