EU Parliament Threatens To Scrap EU-US Data Sharing Deal

The NSA leaks brought forward by whistleblower Edward Snowden have had international rammifications. The latest of those, between the EU and USA, is that the EU is threatening to cancel  its data sharing program with the USA unless it complies with the EU’s previous request asking for details on U.S spying activities in Europe. The resolution was close to a white-wash in the European Parliament as it received 483 votes in favour, 98 against and 65 abstentions according to Russia Today.

The two agreements brought into doubt are the Terrorist Finance Tracking Program (TFTP) and Passenger Name Records (PNR) legislation. Both these agreements were signed shortly after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. The vote proves the intent of the European Parliament but the cancellation of the data sharing agreements still needs to be approved by the European Union govermnents and the European Union’s Executive commission – receiving approval from both could be troublesome.

However, even if nothing materialises from this vote it proves the intent of the European Parliament and the discontent stirring in European Politics against the USA’s spying within Europe and other apparent “friendly” nations.

Image courtesy of capreform.eu