Silly me, I though we were all on the same side. The European Union is barring Australia's access to information about some passengers [potential terrorists and other ne’er do wells] because of privacy concerns.
The stand-off relates to the Australian practice of "reaching-in" to an airline's database, which the EU says breaches privacy standards.
So here, I’ve been rinsing off my ‘bum tissue’, destroying the evidence so to speak, and the EU are saying people should be able to fly around the world secretly.
International security expert Neil Fergus said that the issue was serious. “If the ban got larger it would damage national counter-terrorism capabilities," he said.
That is the flight information, not my privy habits. But the EU appear to have this fascinating idea that flight manifests are for organizing and expediting passenger transport, not for spies to weave their magic with.
For some reason Australian customs officials, engaged in talks on the matter, don’t seem to be able to disabuse the EU of their silly idea.
Is it something the Aussies said? Have we really pissed of the whole of the European community? Does this mean they’ll be starting a war with John Howard soon?
Maybe Merkel is upset because Johnny didn’t give her a touch up like George did.
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