On April 19, the European Parliament, in a vote of 409 in favor, 226 against and 33 abstentions, has given the go ahead for a new agreement on the transfer of European Union air passengers’ personal data to US authorities. The European Parliament’s news website noted that, “The deal sets legal conditions and covers issues such as storage periods, use, data protection safeguards and administrative and judicial redress. The agreement will replace a provisional deal in place since 2007.”

Cecilia Malmström, the European Union Home Affairs Commissioner said,” I welcome today's vote of the European Parliament giving its consent to the new Passenger Name Record Agreement with the United States of America. This is an agreement the three EU institutions can be proud of: it provides stronger protection of EU citizens' right to privacy and more legal certainty for air carriers than the existing EU-U.S. PNR Agreement from 2007. At the same time, it fully meets the security needs of the United States of America and the EU. Under the new agreement, data of passengers traveling to the United States of America will be used to fight serious transnational crime and terrorism. It will be made anonymous six months after a passengers’ flight. EU citizens will be informed about the use of their data, and will be able to access and request the correction or deletion of their PNR data. The new agreement is a substantial improvement on the existing Agreement from 2007, and I am pleased that the European Parliament has recognized this today.”

In a statement released by the Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Napolitano said, “Today's ratification by the European Parliament of the Passenger Name Record (PNR) agreement demonstrates how the United States and the European Union continue to take vital steps to fight terrorism and transnational threats, while protecting privacy and civil rights. Addressing the shared security threats we face requires strong international partnerships, and this agreement is a testament to the long tradition of European and American cooperation.”