Interoperability refers to the functionality of information systems to exchange data and to enable sharing of information. Several large-scale databases have been set up at EU level to deal with migration, asylum and internal security. These databases contain information about people. Initiatives have been taken to identify and develop where and how these systems could communicate with each other and exchange information. Each of these systems has been created for a specific purpose. In keeping with the main data protection principles, interoperability cannot give rise to the access or use of any data via another information system or give access to more data than is needed.
Opinion on the Proposal for a Council Framework Decision on the organisation and content of the exchange of information extracted from criminal records between Member States (COM (2005)690 final), OJ C 313, 20.12.2006, p. 26
Comments on the Communication of the Commission on interoperability of European databases
Opinion on the Proposal for a Council Framework Decision on the exchange of information under the principle of availability (COM (2005)490 final), OJ C 116, 17.05.2006, p. 8
Opinion on the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Visa Information System (VIS) and the exchange of data between Member States on short stay-visas, OJ C 181, 23.7.2005, p. 13