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The EU is about to sell our most sensitive data to the US for visa-free travel

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Re: The EU is about to sell our most sensitive data to the US for visa-free travel

#31

Post by tokai »

RandomLensman wrote: post #28
maratc wrote: post #12

The point missing in the article is that, in order to enter the US, one needs to give the US Govt their photo and fingerprints ("biometric data") anyway. There are two options: visa-free with the biometric data passing on the wire (no hassle), or visa (a major hassle) and biometric data passing in the airport (a minor one). As a side note, the EU also collects photo and fingerprints from visitors now. Whereas in the…

If the US gets the data anyway, why the need for access?

To reduce friction of traveling to the US obviously.

Re: The EU is about to sell our most sensitive data to the US for visa-free travel

#32

Post by kalleboo »

RandomLensman wrote: post #28
maratc wrote: post #12

The point missing in the article is that, in order to enter the US, one needs to give the US Govt their photo and fingerprints ("biometric data") anyway. There are two options: visa-free with the biometric data passing on the wire (no hassle), or visa (a major hassle) and biometric data passing in the airport (a minor one). As a side note, the EU also collects photo and fingerprints from visitors now. Whereas in the…

If the US gets the data anyway, why the need for access?

I would imagine it to match that the biometrics on file with the biometrics presented at the border to catch forgeries?

Re: The EU is about to sell our most sensitive data to the US for visa-free travel

#33

Post by account42 »

cm2187 wrote: post #18

I fail to understand the distinction between an ESTA and a visa to be honest. You need to do the paperwork in advance, pay, provide all sort of personal information, and it can be denied, and if approved only for a limited amount of time. Given that both the EU and the UK have reciprocated, it is a fiction that there exists some visa free travel between these 3 zones. And the more hassle you create, the less tourism…

Yeah is a far cry from other countries where you can just show up and maybe fill out an A5 form on arrival.

Re: The EU is about to sell our most sensitive data to the US for visa-free travel

#34

Post by RandomLensman »

tokai wrote: post #31
RandomLensman wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If the US gets the data anyway, why the need for access?

To reduce friction of traveling to the US obviously.

No more waiting in a long immigration queue?

Re: The EU is about to sell our most sensitive data to the US for visa-free travel

#35

Post by raverbashing »

inigyou wrote: post #30
cm2187 wrote: post #18

I fail to understand the distinction between an ESTA and a visa to be honest. You need to do the paperwork in advance, pay, provide all sort of personal information, and it can be denied, and if approved only for a limited amount of time. Given that both the EU and the UK have reciprocated, it is a fiction that there exists some visa free travel between these 3 zones. And the more hassle you create, the less tourism…

A visa allows you entry, an ESTA doesn't allow you entry but just says you're allowed to travel to the border to see if you'll be allowed entry or not. It's more for the airline than for you. If you have an ESTA and get refused entry, the airline isn't fined for bringing someone unauthorized to the border.

> A visa allows you entry

Nope

It's the same deal as you mention above

Re: The EU is about to sell our most sensitive data to the US for visa-free travel

#36

Post by izacus »

basisword wrote: post #27
christkv wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

All it means that you do not have to go to the embassy and stand in line

I've never had to do this for a visa for countries that required one. It was all online.

For US visa you absolutely have to.

Re: The EU is about to sell our most sensitive data to the US for visa-free travel

#38

Post by account42 »

dgellow wrote: post #5
raxxorraxor wrote: post #2

As a European these texts are always a bit embarrassing. The evil USA that abuses our data... No, European countries suck completely on their own. There are people in jail without due process, we have histories full of systematic abuse of children/people with disabilities in care units, blatant disregard for constitutional rights by executive forces and you have these cases like this surfacing every other week. You d…

There is a clear difference between a local system that has access to your data, and a foreign one. You have no way to vote the foreign entity out of power, and have no say over what they are doing with your data

Yes there is a difference: For the average no name individual, the local authorities are a much bigger threat.

Re: The EU is about to sell our most sensitive data to the US for visa-free travel

#39

Post by izacus »

cm2187 wrote: post #18

I fail to understand the distinction between an ESTA and a visa to be honest. You need to do the paperwork in advance, pay, provide all sort of personal information, and it can be denied, and if approved only for a limited amount of time. Given that both the EU and the UK have reciprocated, it is a fiction that there exists some visa free travel between these 3 zones. And the more hassle you create, the less tourism…

The amount of data you need to provide for ESTA and a B1/B2 US Visa is not remotely comparable - the visa process has way more steps and requirements.

Re: The EU is about to sell our most sensitive data to the US for visa-free travel

#40

Post by some_random »

RandomLensman wrote: post #28
maratc wrote: post #12

The point missing in the article is that, in order to enter the US, one needs to give the US Govt their photo and fingerprints ("biometric data") anyway. There are two options: visa-free with the biometric data passing on the wire (no hassle), or visa (a major hassle) and biometric data passing in the airport (a minor one). As a side note, the EU also collects photo and fingerprints from visitors now. Whereas in the…

If the US gets the data anyway, why the need for access?

It's to validate that the fingerprints of the person arriving are the same as the fingerprints of the person who got the passport.
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