EU-Canada deal to share air travellers' data raises privacy fears

Air Canada passengers line-up at the baggage check-in counter at Pearson International Airport in Toronto April 13, 2012. REUTERS/Mike Cassese

LUXEMBOURG: An agreement between the European Union and Canada to share airline passenger data that they say is key to fighting terrorism drew tough scrutiny at an EU court hearing on April 5 because of privacy concerns. 

The dispute over the retention and sharing of passenger name records (PNR) has become a shibboleth in Brussels for the debate over balancing people's privacy with the need to protect against terrorism.