The Digital Walls of Fortress Europe

As part of PANELFIT, Kostas Zafeiropoulos, Janine Louloudi, and Nikos Morfonios from MIIR – one of EDJNet's Greek partners – conducted a three-part investigation on the issue of digital surveillance in the EU, with a particular focus on migration management:

The ecosystem of European biometric monitoring and surveillance data

The digitisation and online transition of ever more aspects of our lives is a long-term trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. What goes largely unnoticed is the same trend involving the data collection and surveillance superpowers of EU states.
 

Trapped in a digital surveillance system

The impact of surveillance systems on vulnerable populations, money for Frontex drones, and monitoring the movement of citizens within the European area.
 

Automation and surveillance in Fortress Europe

Artificial intelligence and algorithms are at the heart of the EU’s new mobility-control system. High-risk automated decisions are being taken on human lives. It is an emerging multi-billion-euro unregulated market with dystopian 'smart' applications.

Related stories
 

Power imbalances and freedom of consent in migration management

The collection of personal information, including biometric and ethnicity data, is being used as a standard tool in migration management. The notion of consent is often disregarded, which is particularly problematic when minority and vulnerable groups are concerned.
 

A conversation on surveillance in journalism

From the Pegasus spyware investigation to mass surveillance: a dialogue with researcher Philip Di Salvo to understand the impact of new technologies for all those involved in journalism and beyond.

PANELFIT monthly chats

Almost every month in the last three year, EDJNet and PANELFIT hosted chats between a journalist and experts on ethical and legal issues related to data protection and ICT. The most recent episode features a conversation with Gry Hasselbalch, co-founder of DataEthics.eu, on how power dynamics impact the field of AI in terms of fundamental rights, sustainability, etc. It is available here and by clicking on the image below, while you can listen and watch all 20 chats on Spreaker and YouTube.

Data Protection Handbook

All you need to know about GDPR and the handling of personal data while exercising your journalistic duties in one place. PANELFIT's practical Handbook for Journalists has been finalised and you can access it here. It has also been translated in German and Italian. Feedbacks are welcome (you can contact us at caruso@balcanicaucaso.org).

Guide for vulnerable populations

ICTs, personal data, digital rights, the GDPR, data privacy, online security… These terms, and the concepts behind them, are increasingly common in our lives. Some of us may be familiar with them, but others are less aware of the growing role of ICTs and data in our lives – and the potential risks this creates, which are even more pronounced for vulnerable groups. This guide is a resource for members of vulnerable groups, people who work with vulnerable groups, and citizens more broadly.