Forced "Border Partnership": EU Commission wants to allow US authorities to inquire about political views and "origin"

The European Commission has finalized a draft framework agreement for a "Border Partnership" with the United States, potentially granting US authorities broad access to sensitive data of EU citizens. This development significantly expands the scope of data sharing beyond initial proposals, raising concerns about privacy and digital sovereignty for European residents. The agreement is presented as a condition for continued participation in the Visa Waiver Program. Under the proposed "Enhanced Border Security Partnership," US authorities could request access to more than just facial images and fingerprints. The agreement reportedly allows for the querying of names, health data, and even sexual orientation stored in EU member states' police databases. If a match is found, US agencies would be permitted to request further "alphanumeric and contextual data" about the individual from the querying EU authority. This expanded data access has significant implications for EU citizens, potentially impacting their freedom of movement and data privacy rights, especially in light of ongoing US immigration enforcement practices. While the agreement is framed as reciprocal, the extent to which US data will be accessible to EU member states remains contingent on US government willingness, leading to questions about genuine equality in the partnership. The Commission's push for this agreement underscores an ongoing tension between security objectives and the protection of personal data within the EU's digital policy landscape.