EU to debate data transfers to US

The European Parliament is to debate how much data on air passengers and bank transactions is fed into a US anti-terror profiling system.

The EU has already raised concerns with Washington that the US system could be gaining access to passenger data in ways that violate an EU-US agreement.

Washington says access to international bank transactions and passenger records is essential for its war on terror.

The US has sought information about air travellers since the 9/11 attacks.

Many in the EU are uneasy with the scope of the Americans' requests.