A leaked draft agreement obtained by Euractiv reveals that U.S. authorities may not be explicitly prohibited from making significant decisions about European travelers based on automated data processing. The agreement is intended to maintain visa-free travel from the European Union to the United States, and it would allow such decisions as long as they align with U.S. domestic law. This raises concerns about privacy and the protection of personal data for European citizens traveling to the U.S.

Furthermore, EU member states are preparing to grant the U.S. access to national biometric databases, which include sensitive information like fingerprints and facial scans, as a condition to uphold the visa exemption policy. The draft mentions that 'decisions that produce significant adverse effects on individual interests' should not be made solely through automated processes, highlighting the potential risk of algorithm-driven assessments that could overlook the nuances of individual cases, leading to discriminatory outcomes.

This proposed agreement highlights the ongoing tension between ensuring security and protecting personal privacy. It reflects a broader trend of nations negotiating data-sharing arrangements, with the EU facing criticism about the implications of such agreements on civil liberties. As discussions progress, the implications of U.S. access to European citizens' biometric data and the reliance on automated systems for decision-making are set to ignite further debate within EU institutions and among the public.