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EU labels US air data policy as disproportionate and intrusive.

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The European Union (EU) has stated that the US' proposed air data policy is disproportionate and intrusive.

Following the 11 September terrorist attacks, the US is demanding access to airline booking records in

an attempt to track dangerous criminals. Canada and Australia are also filing similar requests. However, the EU believes the data policy would intrude on the privacy of travellers as the US is planning to build individual files and retain data for several years.

Several European airlines - including British Airways, Lufthansa and Air France - have started to hand over passenger data to the US, although the European Parliament has said this is in breach of EU privacy laws, reported Reuters.

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