U.S., EU hit snag in air-data talks: report

Negotiators for the U.S. and European Union failed to reach a deal for sharing confidential airline-passenger information, setting the stage for a possible showdown over U.S. plans for greater security data-mining, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

Department of Homeland Security officials said in the absence of a deal, the United States would use European airline-passenger information as "we deem necessary to protect the American people."

European officials fear attempts by U.S. officials to share the data with law-enforcement officials in violation of EU law could spark lawsuits and a diplomatic standoff that could ground transatlantic commercial flights, according to the report.

Airlines refusing to provide passenger lists to the United States may lose landing rights in the country, but those that do provide the lists risk facing legal action under EU member states' data-protection legislation, said the report.

European Commission spokesman Jonathan Todd said attempts to resolve the deadlock would continue.

Source: Xinhua