The EU is about to sell our most sensitive data to the US for visa-free travel
The European Commission is negotiating an 'Enhanced Border Security Partnership' with the US that would facilitate the exchange of sensitive biometric data for visa-free travel. Critics argue this agreement compromises fundamental privacy rights and subjects European citizens to excessive surveillance.
Why it matters
This agreement highlights the ongoing tension between international security requirements and data privacy regulations, potentially setting a precedent for how biometric data is shared across borders.
The EU is about to sell our most sensitive data to the US for visa-free travel
The European Commission is currently finalising negotiations with the Trump administration to conclude an “Enhanced Border Security Partnership” (EBSP) Framework Agreement allowing border control authorities to screen travellers against biometric databases and profile them for security concerns. The leaked draft text suggests that the Commission significantly caved in to US’s excessive demands for unfettered information access, exacerbating travel surveillance and putting our fundamental rights at risk.
In 2022, the US government announced that it would require access to biometric databases of countries if they wish to keep visa exemption for their citizens travelling to the US , including European Union (EU) Member States. These new “Enhanced Border Security Partnerships” (EBSP) involve the automated exchange of personal data for the purposes of screening and identity verification of travellers.
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