Système d’information sur les visas

Avis concernant la proposition de règlement modifiant les instructions consulaires communes adressées aux représentations diplomatiques et consulaires de carrière, en liaison avec l'introduction d'éléments d'identification biométriques et de dispositions relatives à l'organisation de la réception et du traitement des demandes de visa (COM (2006) 269 final), JO C 321, 29.12.2006, p. 38

Regarding the cooperation between consular posts and embassies of the Member States, the EDPS emphasises the need to guarantee data security, which can prove difficult in some third countries. When the processing of visa applications (including collection of biometric identifiers) is outsourced to a private company, the EDPS stresses the need for it to be located in a place under diplomatic protection.

Observations relatives à la communication de la Commission sur l'interopérabilité des base de données européennes

The first comments concerned a communication related to the interoperability of European Justice and home affairs databases. Because it covered a transversal topic, involving several legal instruments with a list of possible actions, the EDPS decided to issue his comments. The objective was to re-introduce main data protection principles in the debate and to raise their impact on the exploration of a new policy.

The comments called for interoperability not to be treated as a mere technical concept, but to see it as a legal and political one because of the increased risks for the citizens.