*** Protest against the illegal data transfer to the U.S. ! ****

--> Please use the protest letter!
----------------------------------

You want to fly to the U.S.A. Did you know:

- that the personal data registered in your airline company's
  passenger data bank is most likely directly disclosed to the U.S.
  Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) online? ("From 5,
  March 2003 onwards, airline companies have to give data on their
  passengers to the U.S. customs authorities in advance. At the same
  time, U.S. authorities are demanding access to the airlines'
  reservation systems. NZZ am Sonntag", 23.02.2003)

- that this data does not only include information on your passport,
  but also service related data such as details about connecting
  flights, your credit card number, medical data or even details on
  your menu choices (particulars about the choice of kosher or halal
  food, for example, allow for inferences on your religious
  background)?

- that the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection holds this data for
  an unlimited period of time and that it can pass it on to executive
  authorities under the very vaguely worded intention to prevent and
  fight terrorism and other serious threats?

- that there is practically no possibility in the U.S. for the person
  concerned to get access to this data, to check or to delete it?

- that this practice clearly violates the current Swiss data
  protection regulations? (Federal Law on Data Protection of 19. June
  1992, DSG, SR 235.1)

- that the European airlines are being forced to cooperate in this
  practice: If they do not cooperate, they risk very high fines. The
  U.S. authorities have even threatened to revoke their licences for
  flights into or through the U.S.


	==> Show your protest with the airlines companies! 
	==> Make use of your right to information! 
	==> Approach the Federal Data Protection Commissioner!

You can find a model protest letter on the reverse or online at
<http://www.bigbrotherawards.ch/>

________
This is an action initiated by the European Digital Rights Initiative EDRi [1],
supported by the organisational committee of the Swiss Big Brother Awards [2],
for the action day of 20. May 2003.
 

[1] EDRi ("European Digital Rights Initiative") is an association of
critical groups from several European states. Amongst other things,
EDRi works against surveillance and control. http://www.edri.org/

[2] Every year, the biggest data protection violations are honoured
with a satirical Big Brother Award in four different categories. The
nominations are made by the public. The prize giving ceremony takes
place every autumn. The last day for nominations is 31. August 2003.

	DON'T PROCRASTINATE, NOMINATE! -- http://www.bigbrotherawards.ch/