Jul 25, 2007Quickie Link: US given sexual orientation information on travellers
By vanrozenheim
(EU) - The European Commission quietly approved an agreement this Monday which gives the US Department of Homeland Security unprecedented access to the personal information of anyone on a transatlantic flight, including details of their sexual orientation. The agreement adds 19 possible new categories, including information on ethnic origin, political and philosophical opinions, credit card numbers, trade union membership, sex life and details of the passengers' health. In 1987, fear about the spread of AIDS led US officials to require anyone with HIV to declare their status and apply for a special waiver visa. Restrictions were lifted in 2006, allowing HIV+ people a 'categorical waiver' similar to the 60 day visas that business and tourist visitors from wealthy receive automatically.
