The European Union is preparing to launch a new digital border control system aimed at enhancing security and tackling illegal migration.
The so-called Entry/Exit System (EES) will record personal data of third-country nationals entering the EU for short stays — up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
The system will collect information on every entry and exit, including names, travel document types, fingerprints, facial images, and exact dates of movement. The new rules will apply to tourists and business travelers who do not hold EU citizenship.
One of the key objectives of the project is the effective identification of crime victims, including those trafficked, as well as tracking individuals who may pose a terrorist threat. The decision to establish the system followed a wave of terrorist attacks in Paris (2015) and Brussels (2016).
EU leaders also hope the system will help address the risk posed by overstaying migrants and strengthen public confidence in migration policy.
However, human rights organizations have raised concerns about potential risks for asylum seekers. European Parliament rapporteur on the new regulation, Assita Kanko, stressed that all cases must be reviewed individually and in line with protection procedures.
