This is the system that records the faces and fingerprints of travelers from outside the EU.
The European Commission states that this automatic model, already in place at all borders and airports, will be key to border control.
BrusselsThis Sunday marks the first day that non-EU citizens of the Schengen Area will be identified by a new automatic system whenever they enter EU territory. The technology, known as EES (Entry/Exit System), will record the faces and fingerprints of non-EU travelers and will be gradually implemented over the next six months at all EU borders. also at airports.
The database of people entering and leaving European territory will be controlled and coordinated by the European Commission, although the authorities of all member states will collaborate. According to the authorities, the intention of this new measure is to improve the fight against terrorism, organized crime, irregular immigration, and, among other things, document forgery and identity theft.
The initiative, however, has received numerous criticisms from non-profit organizations, which believe it may be discriminatory and used to criminalize newcomers who enter the European Union illegally. However, the European Commission defends in a statement that this technology has "the highest standards of protection and privacy" and guarantees "the security and protection of personal data" of all people entering the Community.
In fact, facial recognition was only used until now in terrorism investigations. In any case, this technology will not be used with citizens of the European Union, and therefore neither the European Commission nor state authorities will have data on people residing in the EU, only on those from third countries.
Brussels also assures that this new system will streamline border controls. In a statement, the European Commission explains that third-country citizens will only have to register their face and fingerprints the first time they enter the European bloc. After that, they will only have to undergo a "quick check."
The European Commission presented the proposal to install this technology at EU borders in 2016, and after negotiations with member states and the European Parliament, it was approved in 2017. Spain will spend approximately 83 million euros, and the European Union budget will allocate 5 million euros.