Results data protection inspection EURODAC kept secret

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) has completed a first
inspection of the central unit of EURODAC, but the complete results of the
report have not been made public, arguing sensitivity of the information.

EURODAC is a community-wide information technology system for the comparison
of the fingerprints of asylum seekers, which was adopted on 11 December 2000
and started operations on 15 January 2003. The system was created to allow
the Member States to identify Non-EU citizens who had already filed an
asylum application in another Member State.

EURODAC Central unit is responsible for the operation of a computerised
central database for comparing fingerprints, an automated fingerprint
identification system and a secure communications system for data
transmission from and towards the Member States.

The EDPS is the competent authority monitoring the activities of EURODAC to
ensure that the rights of the subjects are not violated by data
processing or use of the data held by the Central Unit.

The EDPS expressed the general satisfaction with the security level within
the Central Unit, stating also that some recommendations had been made to
EURODAC. While affirming that EDPS intends to share its findings during a
meeting in June in order to enhance collaboration at the national level, the
press release also states that: “Because of the sensitivity of some
information in the report, it is not publicly available”.

According to Tony Bunyan, Statewatch editor, this creates “a very bad
precedent” that could be extended to VIS (Visa Information System) or other
such type of databases. He considers that the report should be at least
“”partially accessible” with any “sensitive information” deleted”.

EDPS generally satisfied with security in EURODAC central unit – press
release (9.03.2006)
http://www.edps.eu.int/Press/EDPS-2006-3-EN_EURODAC.pdf

Statewatch News online (03.2006)
http://www.statewatch.org/news/

Eurodac a European Union-wide electronic system for the identification of
asylum-seekers (11.2005)
http://europa.eu.int/comm/justice_home/fsj/asylum/identification/fsj_asylum_identification_en.htm