23/10
The European Parliament has voted to suspend its SWIFT data exchange agreement with the US.
They’ve called for US access to the SWIFT database to be halted following concerns that the US is spying on the EU, and not simply trying to combat terrorism.
EU lawmakers suspect that the US has abused an agreement giving it limited access to SWIFT.
As such, they voted to freeze Washington’s capacity to track international payments through the site.
The worry comes after leaked American documents indicating the US was covertly tapping into SWIFT were aired on Brazilian television. The US denies any wrongdoing.
Although the vote is not conclusive, it does reflect public anger at recent reports that US security agency the NSA is spying on European citizens.
The European Commission said it was “still waiting for additional written assurances” that the US is respecting its agreement with the EU.
They’ve called for US access to the SWIFT database to be halted following concerns that the US is spying on the EU, and not simply trying to combat terrorism.
EU lawmakers suspect that the US has abused an agreement giving it limited access to SWIFT.
As such, they voted to freeze Washington’s capacity to track international payments through the site.
The worry comes after leaked American documents indicating the US was covertly tapping into SWIFT were aired on Brazilian television. The US denies any wrongdoing.
Although the vote is not conclusive, it does reflect public anger at recent reports that US security agency the NSA is spying on European citizens.
The European Commission said it was “still waiting for additional written assurances” that the US is respecting its agreement with the EU.
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