In an effort to maintain travel safety in the wake of recent terror attacks, the European Union may begin compiling personal passenger data for all individuals traveling within the European Union. All airlines will be required to submit passenger data to national authorities for flights originating from and flying to countries outside the European Union.

“We have adopted an important new tool for fighting terrorist and traffickers,” said Timothy Kirkhope, member, European Parliament. “By collecting, sharing and analyzing Passenger Name Record information our intelligence agencies can detect patterns of suspicious behavior to be followed up. PNR is not a silver bullet, but countries that have national PNR systems have shown time and again that it is highly effective.”

After data is acquired from air carriers, the information will be filed away for five years. However, after a period of six months, the data will undergo a masking process, which blocks access to travelers’ names, addresses and contact details. The program will prohibit the processing of any information on travelers’ race, political affiliation, religion, health and sexuality. Compiled information will only be used and shared when deemed necessary, and only for “preventing, detecting, investigation or prosecuting terrorist offences or serious crime.”

Currently, the new regulation only affects flights including countries outside the European Union, but could later extend to include flights between EU countries as well. In the future, data may also be collected from travel agencies and tour operators, in addition to airlines.

The program requires further approval before being put into place, but already received backing from Parliament.