Europe is developing into a very important databroker, collecting biometric data and all sorts of other personal data. Some of many of the databases are found on the page of the European Council, IT systems to fight crime and secure EU borders:

• Schengen information system
• Visa information system
• System to manage European asylum applications (Eurodac)
• European travel information and authorisation system (ETIAS)
• Entry/exit system
• European criminal records information system (ECRIS)
• Passenger name record data

These databases are managed by the EU agency in charge of large-scale IT systems, eu-LISA. Despite all the fine words about fundamental rights, there is a risk that European databases will be used for surveillance and profiling of every EU citizen.

The developments are followed by Statewatch, with topics like:

• EU: Travel surveillance and passenger profiling.
• Biometric Europe: imposing digital identities in the name of security.
• EU: Surveillance of telecommunications.
• EU: Interoperability of Justice and Home Affairs databases: a “point of no return”.
• The European security-industrial complex.

Addition 26 November 2024
The Fundamental Rights Guidance Board of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System has published an annual report. The Board according to this article is supposed to perform regular appraisals, to make recommendations to the ETIAS Screening Board and support the Screening Board in the execution of its tasks.