MEPs vote to suspend data sharing programme with US over spying row
The European Parliament has voted in favour of suspending the sharing of financial data with the US following the leaks from whistleblower Edward Snowden that have embroiled America in a row over spying.
Vote: MEPs expressed concern through the non-binding vote
MEPs voted to suspend the Terrorist Finance Tracking Program (TFTP) but the vote is non-binding. However, the move illustrates MEPs’ hostility to allegations that the US has spied on civilians.
The vote was a direct response to allegations that EU citizens’ bank data may have been tapped as part of a wider surveillance programme that was not limited to terror suspects.
It also follows claims that the US monitored German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s mobile phone, something her spokesperson described as “a serious breach of trust”.
MEPs are now calling for an inquiry into the allegations of spying and citizen surveillance.