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Europe Data Protection Digest | Notes from the IAPP Europe Managing Director, January 23, 2015 Related reading: A view from Brussels: EDPS sends signal on data transfers 

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A number of commentators have defined the terrorist attacks that hit Paris at the beginning of the year as game-changing. And it couldn’t be otherwise, although the debate on how to strike a balance between national security and fundamental rights and freedoms has always been high on the European political agenda.

Earlier this week, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls announced new security measures to prevent terrorism on French soil. Most European member states are currently discussing or adopting legislation to enhance their national security, and the European Parliament is scheduled to hold a debate with the European Commission on European anti-terrorism measures on 28 January. At the centre of the debate is a European PNR Directive, initially drafted by the European Commission in February 2011 and later rejected by the European Parliament, which questioned the necessity and proportionality of collecting European passengers’ data for anti-terrorism purposes.

EU High-Representative Federica Mogherini has highlighted the importance of a European PNR agreement in various interviews, whilst European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted last week: “One European PNR system clearly better for security, freedom. True in December. Unfortunately, even more true today.”

 Meanwhile, MEP Guy Verhofstadt said he expects “the commission to come forward with a new EU PNR proposal, with the required legal safeguards". MEP Sophie in’ t Veld also highlighted the importance of the negotiations on the data protection package, currently in the hands of the EU Council, in this context: “It is … high time that the council gets its act together,” she said. “We must protect our citizens against terrorists and defend their right to privacy at the same time."

The EU Article 29 Working Party (WP29) is also expected to issue an opinion on the European PNR agreement in the coming days. “The protection of private life and of personal data is a key part of (Europe’s) democratic heritage,” the WP29 said in a statement last week. 

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