US data deal threats ‘unacceptable’, say left and centre MEPs

A group of left-wing and centre lawmakers in Parliament on Friday called on the Commission to clarify its “red lines” in ongoing talks with the US on a biometric data deal in plenary, by tabling an oral question obtained by Euractiv.

The Commission is currently in talks with the US on expanding the data that’s shared on Europeans wishing to travel to the US. This could see US authorities gain access to national databases containing potentially sensitive data on Europeans, such as fingerprints and face scans.

Washington has threatened to cut EU countries out of the programme allowing visa-free travel if such a deal is not closed this year.

The 53 lawmakers – from all political groups to the left of the European People’s Party – call these threats “an unacceptable infringement on the sovereignty and privacy of European citizens” in questions organised by Left MEP Leila Chaibi.

The initiative marks a step up from last month, when a single Renew lawmaker also directed…