Europe is Working on a New Terrorist Tracking System

By Victor Comras

Since the 2004 Madrid Train bombing there has been new momentum behind Europe�s plan to put together a shared information data base designed to deal with cross border threats of terrorism, drug trafficking, organized crime and other criminal activities. The so-called Schengen Information System II (SISII) is scheduled to be up and running by early 2007. When operational it will provide a whole new array of information in formats easily useable by security and enforcement personnel across Europe. This will include the ability to flag and follow persons of interest as they move from one European country to another. The data available will include biometric information making identification easier. The biometric data is now being collected through various channels, including as part of the new European Passport and Visa application process. The system will also use previously collected and collated background information such as criminal records, fingerprints and other historical information related to suspected criminal or terrorist links and activities. It will also be linked to a new common EU Visa data base that will help filter visa applicants to any of the EU participating countries. Promoters of the new system expect that it will also serve to enhance intra-European cooperation and information sharing related to terrorism and criminal investigations.

The current SIS system has only limited information and sharing capabilities and has come in for heavy criticism as inadequate to deal with the vulnerabilities resulting from the Schengen open border policy. The European Commission signed a $55 million contract late last year to build the new system and has won general approval from the countries participating, including those countries expected to join the Schengen system between now and 2007. But, the new system is still viewed by many as protruding too heavily into protected areas of personal privacy guaranteed by various EU rulings. Balancing these conflicting interests will likely engender further national debate and could delay the actual implementation of the new system.

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