As the European Commission continues to fortify its migration policies and tighten border controls, Access Now’s latest research exposes the private sector companies building — and profiting from — the European Union’s (EU) extensive surveillance infrastructure, while influencing policy and practice.
The investigation focuses on how the private sector participates in industry pitch events hosted by three EU agencies responsible for implementing EU migration policies: eu-LISA, the agency responsible for managing the EU’s large-scale migration and policing databases; Frontex, which supports the management of the EU’s external borders; and Europol, the EU’s law enforcement agency.
The relationship between the private sector and these EU agencies is intentionally shielded from scrutiny, making oversight difficult. But the procurement deals made as a consequence of these events will affect millions of migrant people, who see their privacy violated, their biometric data collected, and their activities surveilled, without choice, recourse, or alternative.
When it comes to migration, the EU seems to believe that its own democratic rules on transparency and accountability do not apply. Amid Fortress Europe’s obsession with border control, the EU has empowered Frontex, Europol, and eu-LISA to team up with the private sector to shape a techno-dystopian pathway to mass surveillance and discrimination. It is time to hold the private sector accountable and end their marriage of convenience with the EU institutions.Caterina Rodelli, EU Policy Analyst at Access Now
Access Now’s mapping identifies at least 450 private sector companies that have pitched more than 600 technological solutions at events hosted by eu-LISA, Europol, and Frontex, as far back as 2017 in some cases. These events also gave private sector representatives the chance to share intelligence and meet EU agency officials, allowing them to directly contribute to shaping the agencies’ surveillance capabilities and long-term digital infrastructure.
Among the wide range of products pitched to EU agencies, Access Now has identified three main categories of technologies: biometrics, airborne surveillance, and big data and AI capabilities.
Migration policies cannot be sold to the highest bidder, at the cost of people’s lives, futures, and rights. EU agencies should not be allowed to increase their powers and spend public funds on acquiring surveillance technologies, when such money could and should be better used for what people really need: welfare, safety, and solidarity.Caterina Rodelli, EU Policy Analyst at Access Now