The Data Protection Authority of Iceland has been asked to offer its opinion on the Icelandic government giving the US government information on individuals suspected of being involved with, or seeking to be involved with, terrorist activity.
The request came from the Ministry of the Interior, in the wake of an agreement made between the US and Iceland regarding the use of passports. According to their report, the US government wants personal information on three types of people specifically: those who may pose a threat during a flight, those suspected of engaging in terrorist activities, and those belonging to a terrorist organisation.
According to the broad strokes of the agreement, only “appropriate offices” would have access to this personal information, but it is never defined which offices these are. Also, the individual whose personal information is given to these government agencies is to not be informed of this, unless any of the involved agencies grants permission to do so.
The Data Protection Authority came to the conclusion that the US government has not done enough to ensure the protection of this personal information. They also point out that according to a 2008 European Union agreement, such powers are only granted in instances when the interests of the public good demand it.
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