Fergie's Tech Blog

Privacy: U.S. Given Information on EU Travelers' Sexual Orientation - UPDATE

Yepoka Yeebo writes on PinkNews.co.uk:

The European Commission quietly approved an agreement this Monday which gives the US Department of Homeland Security unprecedented access to the personal information of anyone on a transatlantic flight, including details of their sexual orientation.

The DHS insists on the right to use the information for disease control, and there are fears that gay passengers may be singled out as possible HIV risks.

The plans involve upgrading information which is already sent by airlines to the DHS on the 4-million-plus Britons who visit the US every year, including payment details, home address and the passengers in-flight meal choice.

The agreement adds 19 possible new categories, including information on ethnic origin, political and philosophical opinions, credit card numbers, trade union membership, sex life and details of the passengers' health.

More here.

(Props, Pogo Was Right.)

UPDATE: 11:31 PDT: Some additional information comes to light here on vnunet.com, such as the fact that DHS will keep EU personal traveler records for 17 years.

posted by Fergie @ 7/24/2007 11:02:00 AM