Spain is preparing to implement facial recognition systems at its border crossings in Sebta and Melilla. Details can be found in this press review from the “Al Ahdath Al Maghribia“ newspaper.
the Iberian media El Faro de Ceuta announced and the daily Al Ahdath Al Maghribia reported in his November 11 broadcast. The facial recognition system is expected to be deployed and ready for use by mid-2023. According to the same sources, the system will affect all Schengen borders, not just the occupied presidents of Sebta and Melilla.
Developed under the supervision of the European Union, the system allows travellers from non-Schengen countries to be recognized. In this way, member states in the region can identify travellers who wish to reach their territories by land, sea or air.
Strengthening border controls in the Schengen area, reports the daily Al Ahdath Al Maghribia, citing Spanish media. The paper added that the project has been entrusted to Thales Spain.
The system is “independent,” according to a company spokesperson. Once the biometric data is registered, Thales Spain representatives will ensure that the data is submitted to the Common European Union database in Strasbourg, France. According to Iberian media, the main reason Spain’s Thales favours this new facial recognition system designed for speed is that it saves border guards time.
Specifically, travellers are required to present documents to the plane, which performs facial recognition. Travellers are obliged to submit fingerprints in case of discrepancies with recorded data.