EURODAC Fingerprint System Targets Asylum Seekers

“Law enforcement access to the fingerprints stored in EURODAC on a ‘hit or not’ basis in cases of serious crime or terrorism is a major step forward in speeding up the fight against crime”, explained Monica Macovei MEP after the adoption of her Report on the establishment of EURODAC, a database for the comparison of fingerprints of asylum seekers.

“Safeguards for protecting individual rights are there; EURODAC can be accessed only as a last resort”, she added. The Report was adopted by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs which also adopted the Report on the minimum standards on procedures in Member States for granting and withdrawing international protection.

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EU Cyber Security Strategy, Not Quite A Double-Click

The EU Cyber Security Strategy, launched in Brussels today, has not delighted everyones' inbox. Viewed as lacking ambition, and as being merely an assessment rather than a forward looking strategy, the new Cyber Strategy won't be unfriended, but it isn't going to make it onto MEP's 'favourites' lists.

The Strategy has been criticised as an assessment of a variety of crimes involving the internet which fails to address questions of a strategic nature. It has also been slated for lacking a clear vision in the global context of defence and digital freedoms.

"Vagueness leaves room for undesired consequences" says Marietje Schaake, Dutch Member of European Parliament (ALDE/D66), and rapporteur for the recently adopted first Digital Freedom Strategy in EU foreign policy. "I welcome the Commission's initiative as a first step in starting a debate, but we can not lose time in addressing the most difficult questions ...READ MORE

by Brian Maguire, Brussels, 07 February, 2013 12:35 PM GMT+0100