EU sues tech firms over delays in new border system
The EU has initiated legal action against IBM and two other European tech firms following ongoing issues and repeated delays with its new smart border system, reports BritPanorama.
EU-Lisa, the agency responsible for managing large-scale IT systems, confirmed it has filed a lawsuit against French IT group Atos and Italian defence contractor Leonardo. This move comes amidst persistent challenges with the Entry-Exit System (EES), which requires visitors from non-EU nations, including the UK, to have their fingerprints and photographs taken upon entry to the Schengen Area.
Since its launch, the EES has resulted in significant disruptions for travellers, with long queues reported across various airports in Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy. For instance, over 100 easyJet passengers missed a flight from Milan Linate to Manchester in April due to delays at passport control. In May, the Port of Dover faced a “critical incident” as wait times soared to four-and-a-half hours during a busy holiday period.
In 2019, a core contract for the EES was awarded to a consortium involving IBM Belgium, Atos Belgium, and Leonardo, covering its implementation and maintenance. An EU-Lisa spokesperson stated that the ongoing legal proceedings would have “no impact on the functioning of the EES,” clarifying that the dispute pertains to delays in system delivery rather than operational issues.
During the summer, some member states temporarily suspended checks in exceptional cases, but this flexibility expired in September. The EU’s handling of border checks has faced criticism from airlines as well, notably Ryanair, which called the rollout a “shambles”.
Ryanair’s chief operational officer Neal McMahon stated, “Airlines, airports and border authorities repeatedly warned Brussels that the rollout was not ready, that it would increase processing times and that it would create excessive queues for passengers.”
Despite the official rollout of the EES in October last year and expectations for full compliance by April, several countries, including France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, have reportedly asked the European Commission for extensions to implement the new controls until system reliability is ensured.
This ongoing situation underlines the complexities faced by the EU as it manages technological advancements in border control while ensuring efficient travel for millions of visitors each year.
