Recent inspections have shown that the National Police broke any rules when using it Schengen Information System (SIS).
This system, which contains personal data, had problems with data accuracy. Errors or incomplete information about individuals were present, and some data was kept for too long. These issues came to light during a European investigation in which the Personal Data Authority (AP) participated.
A spokesperson for the AP emphasized the size of the SIS and the responsibility that users have, given the impact that registration in this system can have on people, such as being wrongly refused at the border or unnecessarily arrested.
Initially, the National Police took no action to solve these problems. This led to the AP considering imposing a penalty, but this ultimately turned out not to be necessary because the police corrected the problems themselves.
A joint inspection by European privacy regulators, including the AP, investigated the National Police in the Netherlands. They were responsible for the quality and exchange of data in the SIS. The AP found that the police did not sufficiently check whether the data in the system was correct and complete, and that they sometimes kept alerts for too long without a thorough assessment.
In 2022, the National Police drew up a plan to improve the quality of data and controls. This plan was implemented in 2023 and monitored by the AP, which ultimately determined that the problems had been resolved.
The AP continues to closely monitor the registration and management of personal data in large-scale European information systems. These systems play a crucial role in monitoring the external borders of the Schengen area and supporting police and judicial activities. With the arrival of new information systems and the linking of existing systems, monitoring privacy risks is becoming increasingly important, especially given the greater consequences of incorrect or unlawful registrations in these systems.
What is the Schengen Information System (SIS)
The Schengen Information System (SIS) is a large-scale information system used by the countries within the Schengen Zone in Europe. It plays a crucial role in maintaining security and managing borders within this area. Here are some key points about the SIS:
- Purpose: The SIS is designed to increase security within the Schengen zone by providing authorities such as police, border guards and customs with relevant information about people and goods.
- Data exchange: The system allows Member States to exchange warnings about different categories of persons and goods. This includes, for example, missing persons, crime suspects, stolen vehicles, and stolen or missing documents.
- Border Guard: One of the primary functions of the SIS is to support effective border controls. This helps identify persons who may pose a threat to public order or security, or who have violated Schengen rules.
- Partnerships: The SIS promotes cooperation between police and judicial authorities of the Schengen countries, which is essential for cross-border enforcement of the law.
- Privacy and data protection: Since the SIS contains personal information, there are strict rules and controls regarding data protection and privacy. The Dutch Data Protection Authority and other comparable organizations in the Member States monitor compliance with these rules.
- Expansion and upgrades: The system undergoes regular upgrades and expansions to improve its effectiveness and security, and to meet new challenges in border management and security.
The effectiveness of the SIS in ensuring security within the Schengen area depends heavily on the accuracy and timeliness of the information shared, as well as compliance with data protection and privacy regulations.
