The European Digital Fortress and Large Biometric EU IT Systems: Border Criminology, Technology, and Human Rights

Abstract

The European Digital Fortress and Large Biometric EU IT Systems: Border Criminology, Technology, and Human Rights Today, at a time when we are witnessing the "multiplication of borders", borders are occupying new domains. The article focuses on the erection of digital borders by means of biometric technology, which is creating new knowledge through the compilation of large biometric databases in the EU. By "tattooing" borders onto immigrant bodies, disciplinary power is being superseded by the post-disciplinary power of "instant surveillance". The article continues by analysing re-bordering practices by means of seemingly apolitical information technology, and concludes by delving into the new harms caused by re-bordering, including violations of human rights and the emergence of multi-layered criminal law. KEY WORDS: biometric data, human rights, information technology, border criminology, large IT database IZVLEČEK Evropska digitalna trdnjava in veliki biometrični EU IT sistemi: Kriminologija meje, tehnologija in človekove praviceDanes, ko smo priča »multiplikaciji meja«, meje zasedajo nova področja. Članek se osredotoča na digitalne meje, ki v EU vznikajo z uporabo biometrične tehnologije, kar z oblikovanjem velikih biometričnih podatkovnih zbirk ustvarja novo vednost. Avtor v članku pokaže, kako s »tetoviranjem meja« na imigrantska telesa disciplinsko oblast nadomešča »hipna oblast«, nato pa odstre dileme, povezane s premikanjem meja, kar omogoča domnevno apolitična informacijska tehnologija. V zadnjem delu predstavi nove oblike škode, vključno s kršitvami človekovih pravic, in nastajajoče večplastno kazensko pravo, ukrojeno glede na »hierarhije državljanstva«. KLJUČNE BESEDE: biometrični podatki, človekove pravice, informacijska tehnologija, kriminologija meje, velika podatkovna zbirka

Refugees in the Digital Economy

“…At the same time that proponents of digital humanitarianism and innovation point out its virtues and vast potential, a now well-established body of literature focuses on the normative and security implications of such digital engagement, with a predominant focus on border and migration management (Latonero and Kift, 2018;Ajana, 2019;Cheesman, 2022), data privacy and usage, biometrics (Jacobsen, 2015;Završnik, 2019), and the concept of digital identities. As Latonero and Kift (2018:1) explain, Refugees today not only depend on a physical but increasingly also on digital infrastructure to make their way across to safer places….…”

Are Perceptions About Government and Social Media Providers Related to Protection Motivation Online?

“…The emergence of the internet enabled governments to reach out to citizens and exchange information with them through various platforms, such as official web pages, e-mails, media and most recently social media (de Arruda et al, 2020). However, governments may seek a deeper insight into citizens online activities for both justified (e.g., crime investigations, anti-terrorism operations) and unjustified (e.g., mass surveillance to tackle political dissent) reasons (Bieniasz & Szczypiorski, 2019;Diehl et al, 2016;Lenarčič, 2020;Završnik, 2019). Paradoxically, government surveillance may be necessary for ensuring trust in a society of individuals who value privacy (Dinev et al, 2008).…”