The European Union is negotiating a controversial framework that could allow US authorities to search national police databases across much of the bloc, as Washington makes this a condition for countries to remain in the Visa Waiver Program. The Enhanced Border Security Partnership is at the center of the talks, with the US allegedly demanding access to sensitive data in exchange for visa-free travel for up to 90 days.

The European Commission confirmed that the US has set a December 31, 2026, deadline for the agreement, leaving the EU with limited room to maneuver. Critics argue that this condition amounts to coercion rather than partnership. Dutch MEP Raquel Garcia Hermida-van der Walle described it as a clear case of blackmail, urging the commission to halt the process.

The types of data to be shared remain a sensitive issue. Police databases often contain biometric information such as fingerprints and facial images, as well as data on individuals who have never been convicted, including suspects, asylum-seekers, and people detained during protests. German surveillance researcher Matthias Monroy noted that being in a police database does not imply a conviction.

US authorities claim the data would be used for border screening and identity checks, but critics fear that an arrest in Europe could have consequences for travel to the US. The European Data Protection Supervisor has warned that this could be the EU's first agreement involving large-scale sharing of personal data, including biometrics, with a third country for border control, calling for a full fundamental rights impact assessment.

Monroy also questioned the promised reciprocity, pointing out that the US lacks a centralized database comparable to Germany's. He expressed concerns that the US could use the data to target migrants and other groups, describing the potential system as fascist. The US Mission to the EU did not respond to requests for comment.

Source: www.dw.com