New regulations for European mail to the US

[Kellanved]

Sorry, I haven't been able to find any English sources for it.

The Federal German top official for the protection of private data, Peter Schaar, has told the media about a request by the US government that the complete personal data about originators of US-bound packages and letters should be forwarded to Homeland Security prior to shipping. Pretty much like it is already the case for airline passengers.

While the EU parliament is busy creating legislation banning any such mandatory forwarding of data, I personally feel very constricted . It is nobody's business to whom and when I write to anybody in the US.


http://www.heise.de/newsticker/result.xhtml?url=/newsticker/meldung/50048&words=Schaar

Edited for spelling.

[burrowowl]

1. What the HELL?!

I have family and friends in Europe!
CHENEY the U$ so-call gov.

[jukes]

2. only the beginning

get ready for it.

[Karenina]

3. Wie bitte???

translation: W-H-H-A-A-A-A-T????

[Kellanved]

4. Genau das habe ich auch gefragt.

Checked the date (April 1st?), googled the info, etc. Result: they are really doing it and nobody gives a d***. What is this fearmongering about? No Anthrax letters from Europe yet, why do they need the data of the recipient and the sender?

Especially as there are no - zero, zilch,... - guarantees on how the data will be used and how long it will be stored.

[Karenina]

5. What it's about

is getting a grip on Amis in Deutschland. After WWII MANY simply stayed, raised families etc. and the U.S. Gub'mint got NO IDEA about them as they have been been productive members of German society flying under the radar for DECADES. So the latest tactic is Ami passports can no longer simply be renewed at the Botschaft. Gotta send papier to the U.S. -2 week minimun lag-time. Die Ami nazis sind ausgeflippt.

[Kellanved]

6. amen

That's about what I had figured: introducing an European style "Melderecht" via the backdoor. None of the major benefits (i.e. protection from identity theft and voting fraud) but the major disadvantage (the government knows where you're staying).
An interesting question would be, if a similar practice is already in effect stateside.

The problems with visas (don't know about passports) are getting totally out of control:
-for a student visa one has to apply in Frankfurt, no other location will do
-one gets treated like **** there; long lines, no drinks allowed, extremely unfriendly officials, guards and personnel.
-many of my fellow students actually got denied - with no stated reason whatsoever!
-Even for a 90-day-visa-waiver visit one has to leave photo and fingerprints - I love being treated like a criminal; does the US want my money or not? Cause as long as this is active no-one in my family will spend holidays stateside.

[Karenina]

7. Wäre schön

unserer Macht und Kraft gegen Faschismus zu zeigen. Laut redet Geld.