The new border control system is causing delays at several Portuguese airports. But after all, what is this new system?how does it work and what data is collected?
The objective of Entry/Exit System (EES) involves replacing traditional stamps in passports with a digital system, based on biometric data.
What is the Input/Output System?
O EES is an automated computer system created by the European Union to register non-European citizens whenever they enter or leave the Schengen area for short stays, i.e. until 90 days in a 180 day period.
In practice, it replaces the manual stamp in the passport with a centralized digital recordaccessible to border authorities of participating countries.
This system applies to all citizens of countries outside the European Union, except Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
How does border control work?
According to the whenever a traveler covered by the system crosses an external border of the Schengen area, he or she will have to provide personal data.
After the first biometric registration, subsequent passes tend to be faster.
Os responsible agents through passport control will just to check fingerprints and photographywhich, in theory, in the opinion of the European organization, will take less time, or may be used system self-service (if available there).
In that case, if the digital file does not indicate any impediment circulation, normally no need to go through a control agent of passports.
What data is collected?
According to the European Union, the EES collects and stores travel document datasuch as full name and date of birth, facial photography, fingerprints and information about entry refusals.
The new system can also cross-reference information with other European databases, such as the Visa Information System (VIS) and ETIAS, the future European electronic travel authorization system.
What is this new system for?
The European Union states that the system aims to reinforce security at the external borders of the Schengen area.
According to the European Union, the “advantages” of EES involve tmake border controls “more modern and efficient”tdecorate the “easier and cheaper” cross-border travel, pcombat irregular migration andincrease security in the Schengen area.
According to the rules of the system, a traveler who refuses to have personal information processed, will have refused entry into the territory of European countries using the EES.
How long is the data stored and who accesses the information?
The European Union foresees that data is stored for up to three years for normal records of inputs and outputs and up to five years in certain situationssuch as the absence of output registration.
After the end of each period, the information must be automatically deleted.
Who can access the information?
Access is reserved for border, immigration and visa authorities of participating countries, as well as security forces and Europol in cases linked to criminal investigation.
The European Commission guarantees that the system works under European data protection rules and supervision by competent authorities regarding privacy.
