Uncle Sam Wants Your DNA: Privacy a price to pay for travel ticket?

RussiaToday
October 06, 2010
Anger is growing in Europe about new Washington data sharing demands, in what they call a move to stop potential terrorists from entering the U.S. The requirements include fingerprints, DNA samples and cross border payments - data considered by many as private and sensitive. Travellers from countries refusing to share the information will have to apply for a visa to enter the U.S. However some EU states - like Austria and Germany - have already agreed to hand over the personal data of its citizens.

In June the EU and the United States signed the so-called SWIFT deal, giving American government officials access to all bank transactions within Europe. Eva Lichtenberger - an Austrian politician and member of the European Parliament - says there are no guarantees the data won't be misused if provided.