24 June 2021
Minutes from the first Operational Personal Data Workshop dedicated to discuss Frontex’s processing of "operational personal data" in light of the ongoing drafting of Management Board Decision 69/2021. The meeting was attended by experts from the member states, Commission representatives and Frontex staff members.
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Frontex: Key notes - Operational Personal Data Workshop (24/6/2021) (Ares(2022)3793257, pdf)
"The Executive Director emphasised that operational personal data is all personal data processed by the Agency while carrying out its activities which fall within the scope of Police cooperation and Judicial cooperation in criminal matters, to meet the objectives and tasks laid down in the EBCG Regulation2. This data is crucial for the Agency’s mandate and may include licence plate numbers and vehicle identification numbers, but also telephone numbers and ship or aircraft identification numbers linked to suspects of cross border crimes."
"Presentation entitled “Principles of Frontex Risk Analysis for the operational activities of the Agency”: It was delivered by the Head of Frontex Risk Analysis Unit (RAU) who elaborated on the principles of Frontex risk analysis for the operational activities of the Agency. He also elaborated on the ways operational personal data can be used to enhance the European Union Integrated Border Management Strategy. He mentioned that the aim of risk analysis in light of operational personal data processing is to collect useful information from multiple sources to develop a comprehensive picture related to cross-border crime threats to the internal security of the European Union. This information may also be used for the planning and implementation of inter-agency coordinated measures at the strategical, operational and tactical levels."
"Presentation entitled “Monitoring activities over the maritime and air domains - Potentials of new OPD rules”: It was delivered by a Command and Control Senior Officer at Frontex’s Situation Centre. The presentation dealt with the potential implementation of the new OPD processing rules in the context of monitoring activities in the maritime and air domains. As the daily operational activities are executed in the context of EUROSUR, it was noted that the overall goal is to create actionable intelligence for stakeholders, with focus on the Member States. Nevertheless, beyond the scope of Eurosur, a comprehensive and accurate assessment of suspected assets (e.g. vessels) could be achieved by the provisions of Article 90 of the EBCG Regulation. Central to this approach is the processing of operational personal data as it will create the grounds to access information beyond the assets as such. A case study was also presented. In addition, the presenter referred to a related project that is currently under development for the air domain."
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