US to store passenger data for 15 years

'including credit card details, phone numbers and home addresses'

[walkman]

[guardian.co.uk...]

The personal data of millions of passengers who fly between the US and Europe, including credit card details, phone numbers and home addresses, may be stored by the US department of homeland security for 15 years, according to a draft agreement between Washington and Brussels leaked to the Guardian.

The "restricted" draft, which emerged from negotiations between the US and EU, opens the way for passenger data provided to airlines on check-in to be analysed by US automated data-mining and profiling programmes in the name of fighting terrorism, crime and illegal migration. The Americans want to require airlines to supply passenger lists as near complete as possible 96 hours before takeoff, so names can be checked against terrorist and immigration watchlists.

[Propools]

OK, I just want to go all "Jack Bauer" on them and say, you can't do that.
96 hours is hokey.
Within the 96 Hours all sorts of passenger manifests can be changed, etc.
What's the problem with real time?
As things change it's updated in real time, alerts authorities etc.

Plus, in my talking with people "in the know", there's not likely EVER to be another air passenger jet hi-jacked and used as on 9/11.

Personally, I don't have a problem with "the man" having my data, in an effort to thwart terrorists plots, etc.
What I do have a problem with is some rogue government employee who takes that data and goes all "wiki leaks" with it.

Ya know what I mean? Because then the whole world would have all of that data.

So it comes down to do you trust the government to keep your personal data secure while they are trying to protect your security

[Swanny007]

LOL, like in 15 years the rules won't change and the retention period will be "indefinite". I'm glad I don't live in the US!

[incrediBILL]

The amusing thing is people think it already wasn't being maintained.

The only difference is the mandate.

[Propools]

@incrediBILL - I know... Crazy Isn't it

It's almost as if they're throwing up a trial balloon to see what the general reaction is going to be.

[graeme_p]

Personally, I don't have a problem with "the man" having my data, in an effort to thwart terrorists plots, etc.

Once the government has the data, that is not all it will be used for.

[lucy24]

I dunno. I can't personally think of any terrorists who have lived at the same address and kept the same telephone number for 15 years. But it will keep a few computer geeks gainfully employed, transferring the data every time the feds change operating systems.

[johnhh]

This is one reason why I will not visit the US anymore - a country that has so much to offer visitors. I always like the question "do you know the Queen ?" - asked at every gas station from Montana to Miami. Shame really I would like to go back .. maybe Canada instead

[Sgt_Kickaxe]

Google has a permanent database archive tucked away that keeps all data forever so it's a moot point. If you create a transfer of data it is permanently recorded, has been for a long time.

These days you may have an rfid in your underwear and a camera in space recording a whole lot more than a "transaction". Most people prefer to act as if it's not happening because a) what can you do about it and b) you aren't reminded that it's happening daily. It's SO much easier just to say anyone suggesting this has conspiracy theory issues.