Press Release: Interoperability of databases: EDPS raises concerns on principal issues and calls for a better analysis

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) on 13 March 2006 issued comments on policy options for the interoperability of databases in the area of Justice and Home Affairs, as presented in a Communication of the European Commission of 24 November 2005. Although not properly defined in the Communication, it was clear that 'interoperability' was raising a number of questions in relation to data protection which needed a better analysis. The EDPS also strongly discouraged the use of biometric data, such as fingerprints - or perhaps even DNA - as a unique identification key.

European Commission: PreLex: COM(2005) 597, Communication on improved effectiveness, enhanced interoperability and synergies among European databases in the area of Justice and Home Affairs, 24.11.05 http://ec.europa.eu/prelex/detail_dossier.cfm?CL=en&ReqId=0&DocType=COM&DocYear=2005&DocNum=597

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