(Dieser Artikel ist auch in deutscher Sprache verfügbar)

A Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act proposed by the US Administration was passed by the US Congress on 4 August 2007 allowing US intelligence services to intercept electronic communications between US, but also non-US citizens, if the communication passes across US-based networks, without needing a court order.

A written question was addressed to the European Commission and the Council by MEP Sophie In't Veld and Graham Watson from ALDE (Liberal group in the European Parliament) raising concerns on the US act which they consider as a violation of the privacy and civil rights of EU citizens. The questions refer to the level of protection of the EU citizens' personal data that the European Commission can provide as well as to the relation between EU-US extradition agreements and the new US act, wondering whether the information obtained by means of such interceptions can lead to automatic extraditions without judicial substantiation. Ms. Sophie In't Veld is also concerned about the unilateralism of the act that was passed without consulting the European partners.

The MEPs asked the Commission whether it indented to carry out an investigation on "what personal data of EU citizens can be accessed or obtained by third countries, notably the US, and by what legal instruments", an investigation that has been requested several times by the European Parliament.

Tony Bunyan, director of Statewatch also commented: "Just because it happens to pass through the US they claim they can do whatever they want,. Where is the EU saying..? What's going on here, we've got to protect the rights of our citizens?"

The US Act has raised opposition even in the US from the Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. According to In 't Veld, members of the US Congress fear that US President Bush will use this act to eavesdrop on US citizens.

US Congress rubber-stamps new law authorising spying on foreign nationals' calls and emails -ALDE release (7.08.2007)
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2007/aug/ep-alde-eu-us-question-fisa-co...

Question addressed by Liberal Democrat MEP, Sophie In't Veld and Graham Watson (ALDE) (06.08.2007)
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2007/aug/ep-alde-eu-us-question-fisa-co...

Terror law puts Britons at risk of surveillance by US agents (19.08.2007)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,,330596568-105744,00.html