Archive
Deportation camps: EU member states want to “prevent judicial scrutiny”
Agreements between the EU and non-EU states on so-called “return hubs” should be “framed in flexible way” to “prevent judicial scrutiny.” This is according to a document produced by the Polish Presidency of the Council in February, obtained and published by Statewatch. Read More
Outsourcing Borders: Bulletin 6
“You don’t see any borders between countries from space. That’s man-made and one experiences it only when you return to… Read More
Data protection in immigration and asylum: Rights and opportunities for redress
Do you work with people in immigration or asylum proceedings? Do they face problems of secrecy and lack of access to information about their case? Would you like to know more about how data protection law can be used in migration and asylum cases? Join us for an online workshop on 8 May. Read More
France: Flaws and injustices of ‘predictive policing’ laid bare in new report
As part of a European initiative coordinated by Statewatch, La Quadrature du Net has published an English translation of its report on the state of predictive policing in France. In light of the information gathered, and given the dangers these systems carry when they incorporate socio-demographic data as a basis for their recommendations, La Quadrature calls for a ban. Read More
EU’s secretive “security AI” plans need critical, democratic scrutiny, says new report
The EU is secretively paving the way for police, border and criminal justice agencies to develop and use experimental “artificial intelligence” (AI) technologies, posing risks for human rights, civil liberties, transparency and accountability, says a report published today by Statewatch. Read More
Automating Authority: Artificial intelligence in European police and border regimes
Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are being embedded into everyday life by powerful actors, primarily motivated by profit. Police, border and criminal justice agencies are also looking to take advantage of the new powers AI offers for “security” policies, at both national and EU level. The EU is creating new infrastructure, away from the public eye, to allow the swift development and deployment of “security AI.” This will also reinforce the existing discrimination, violence and harm caused by policing, border and criminal justice policies. Exposing and understanding this emerging security AI complex is the first step to challenging it. Read More
Publication information
Authors: Chris Jones, Romain Lanneau Research support: Samaya Anjum, Eloisa Griffiths Thanks to: Nidžara Ahmetašević, Hope Chilokoa-Mullen, Sara Chitseko, Riccardo Coluccini, Caterina Rodelli, Niovi Vavoula This report was supported by the European AI & Society Read More
France: How the “war on drugs” is turbo-charging surveillance powers
A French law is set to unleash invasive new police surveillance powers. Fuelled by absurd rhetoric, the government is proposing what has been dubbed “the worst surveillance law in the EU”. Experts warn that it will fail to achieve its aims. However, the broad scope of the law means the powers can be used against migrants, their supporters, and to crack down on dissent. As official reports have made clear, dealing with drug use and trafficking requires long-term, low-tech policies – not high-tech police surveillance powers. Read More
Belgium: New report calls for a ban on ‘predictive’ policing technologies
Following an investigation carried out over the past two years, Statewatch, the Ligue des droits humains and the Liga voor mensenrechten, jointly publish a report on the development of ‘predictive’ policing in Belgium. There are inherent risks in these systems, particularly when they rely on biased databases or sociodemographic statistics. The report calls for a ban on ‘predictive’ systems in law enforcement. Read More
UK: Over 1,300 people profiled daily by Ministry of Justice AI system to ‘predict’ re-offending risk
Over 20 years ago, a system to assess prisoners’ risk of reoffending was rolled out in the criminal legal system across England and Wales. It now uses artificial intelligence techniques to profile thousands of offenders and alleged offenders every week. Despite serious concerns over racism and data inaccuracies, the system continues to influence decision-making on imprisonment and parole – and a new system is in the works. Read More