European prosecutors have launched an investigation into French IT company Atos concerning software purchases made through its Russian office for the EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES). The investigation, initiated by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), examines whether Moscow-based employees had appropriate security clearance for procuring components of the border control system.
The software purchases in question occurred in 2021 through Atos’s Moscow office, which operated under a license from Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). The procurement included cryptographic certificates from U.S.-based AppViewX and middleware from Swiss company Magnolia, though the contracts were ultimately signed with Atos’s French and Belgian divisions.
EU-Lisa, the agency responsible for developing the border system, has stated that the Moscow-based Atos employee who handled the AppViewX software purchase did not have access to EES “IT systems, sensitive information or premises.” The agency reports no identified security breaches and confirms it maintains no contractual relationships with Atos Russia. While the AppViewX software was never implemented, Magnolia’s product saw use until 2022.
The EES represents a significant technological advancement in EU border control, designed to collect biometric and other data from non-EU visitors entering the bloc. Similar to the UK’s border control system, which requires facial biometric data from EU visitors, the EES will enhance security through automated identity verification at border crossings. The system’s launch has faced multiple delays and is now scheduled for gradual implementation throughout 2025, though no specific date has been established. Industry reports attribute significant portions of these delays to Atos and its consortium partners, citing missed deadlines dating back to 2020.
In related developments, discussions continue regarding the implementation of a biometric pilot project for border crossings. Building on successful implementations like Estonia’s multimodal biometric system, the proposed system would incorporate multimodal biometric verification, blockchain technology for data security, encrypted digital identity, and standardized protocols for biometric data management to ensure cross-border interoperability and identity verification. The initiative supports broader European efforts to establish cross-border digital identity frameworks that enable seamless yet secure travel across the EU.
Sources: Sydney.edu.au, Foreign Policy
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