These infamous lists are relevant only to flights to the USA. The USA demands the use of these lists, and the airlines have to comply, if they don't want to lose their landing and overflight rights.

Also, that's why in Germany every pax to the US is subject to a SECOND security screening that follows another standard dictated by the US and has to fill out a form with his personal data and his first address in the US (also mandated by the US). Of course, it doesn't stop here, as (given he's not American) he'll have to to fill out 2 more forms (4 pages) on the plane and will finally be questioned, photographed and fingerprinted upon his arrival in the USA.

An American flying FROM the US to Germany will not have to fill out any paperwork and will not be fingerprinted or photographed. Yet the German people still feel safe. I know, they must be kinda stupid. Or cute.