The German government faces pressure to stand up to a US anti-terrorism law that would open up the banking information of Europeans. Opponents say it infringes data protection and criticize the timing. Germany's coalition faces further discord over plans to scrutinize European citizens' banking activities under US anti-terrorism laws. The German Interior Ministry has opted not to block a deal in Brussels giving US authorities access to banking transfer information from the financial-service provider SWIFT, which handles around 15 million transactions between more than 8,300 banks around the world. Allowing the agreement to go through would bring Interior Minister Thomas de Maziere of the Christian Democrats (CDU) into conflict with his coalition partners, the Free Democrats (FDP).
Germany's coalition faces further discord over plans to scrutinize European citizens' banking activities under US anti-terrorism laws.
The German Interior Ministry has opted not to block a deal in Brussels giving US authorities access to banking transfer information from the financial-service provider SWIFT, which handles around 15 million transactions between more than 8,300 banks around the world.
Allowing the agreement to go through would bring Interior Minister Thomas de Maziere of the Christian Democrats (CDU) into conflict with his coalition partners, the Free Democrats (FDP).
