EU Could Suspend US Data Sharing Over Snowden Leaks

The European Union may suspend two agreements with the US about data sharing in response to allegations that the country is respecting the EU’s rules on data privacy.

The agreements revolve around giving the United States access to European financial and travel data. But the EU could withhold the information should it find the US Is not respecting the EU’s rules.

The threat from the EU comes after NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden revealed information suggesting the United States is spying on the EU offices in London, Brussels, and elsewhere. Europeans expressed their frustration over the alleged spying, including European Commission leaders voicing their outrage.

The allegations add that the US has engaged in eavesdropping on European internet users, as well as spying on the European Union itself. EU home affairs commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom wrote to two US officials this week to voice her concern about how the two agreements are being implemented.

Both agreements were made after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. Malmstrom wrote:

“Should we fail to demonstrate the benefits of [the agreements] for our citizens and the fact that they have been implemented in full compliance with the law, their credibility will be seriously affected.”

Malmstrom went on to say that she would “be obliged to reconsider [whether] the conditions for their implementation are still met.” She added in a letter to United States Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and David Cohen, the Treasury under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence that relations between the US and the EU are in a “delicate moment.”

As a result of the spying allegations, Malmstrom explained that she will send a team of officials to Washington, D.C., next week for reviews of both data sharing agreements. The reviews were previously scheduled.

Many of the eavesdropping reports have come from Snowden, who is hiding out in a Moscow international airport. On the run from espionage charged in the United States, Snowden has sought asylum in several countries.

The alleged spying by the United States has caused tensions between the US and the EU. France urged the organization to delay a trade pact with the United States. While European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has said the trade talks will happen, they would also set up working groups to determine the extent of US intelligence-gathering.

[Image via futureatlas.com]