Profiling in the European Union: A high-risk practice

Profiling through predictive data mining is already a reality worldwide, including in the European Union. This modern technique relies on the massive processing of personal data in order to identify patterns that allow for the automatic categorisation of individuals. Yet no satisfactory debate is taking place on how the use of profiling in this particular area can encroach upon the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals, argue the authors of this INEX Policy Brief.

Gloria González Fuster is Researcher at the Law, Science, Technology & Society (LSTS) Research Group of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Serge Gutwirth is Professor at the VUB and Chairman of VUB’s LSTS and Erika Ellyne is Researcher at VUB’s LSTS.

This Policy Brief is published within the context of the INEX project, which looks at converging and conflicting ethical values in the internal/external security continuum in Europe, and is funded by the Security Programme of DG Enterprise of the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Research Programme. For more information visit:
{http://www.inexproject.eu}