After deliberating for years on the subject a diktat was issued this week by the European Commission around sharing of PNR data for reservations in Europe.
The sharing of Passenger Names Record is a controversial issue, but the EC directive will mean airlines can make available their data on all persons that fly to and from "interested third countries", primarily as a criminal intelligence tool to fight cross-border crime and terrorism.
This principally affects the USA, Canada and Australia but it is likely to become the norm for any country that demands such information.
This will inevitably affect GDSs, technology providers and airlines alike.
However, from a consumer's perspective, it will also affect anyone travelling between the EC and at least these three countries by any form of transportation.
NB: A very detailed and helpful look at the impact of the new rules via EUBusiness.com.