EU Parliament Approves Expanded Europol Biometric Data Use
The European Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE) has approved a proposal that would enable Europol to enhance its data sharing capabilities and increase the collection of biometric data. This proposal aims to strengthen efforts against human trafficking and migrant smuggling across EU member states. The committee’s approval marks a significant step forward, with the proposal now set to be voted on by the full Parliament in a plenary session later this month.
The proposed regulation expands the scope of data sharing between Europol and national governments, allowing for more extensive processing of personal and biometric data. This includes fingerprints, facial recognition data, and other biometric identifiers, which are considered sensitive under the EU’s data protection framework. The intention is to improve law enforcement cooperation and effectiveness in tackling cross-border criminal activities.
However, privacy and civil liberties groups have raised serious concerns about the proposal’s implications for data protection and individual privacy rights. Critics argue that the expanded data processing could lead to mass surveillance and large-scale violations of data privacy, potentially undermining the protections guaranteed under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). These groups call for stronger safeguards to prevent misuse and ensure transparency.
Access Now, a digital rights organization, condemned the approval by the LIBE Committee, warning that it could pave the way for a “digital police state” in Europe. The debate highlights the ongoing tension between enhancing security measures and preserving fundamental privacy rights within the EU legal framework. The upcoming plenary vote will be crucial in determining the future direction of Europol’s data handling practices.
