The European Commission is pushing for the introduction of digital passports and identity cards by 2030, presented as a measure to enhance security and streamline border control. Led by Eurocommissioner Ylva Johansson, this initiative is framed as a way to improve convenience for travelers while helping to identify criminals and terrorists. However, many critics are sounding the alarm, warning that this is yet another step toward increased surveillance and control over citizens.
We want to make it easier for you to move across the EU.
Today, we proposed new rules on the digitalisation of identity cards and passports.
The proposals will create a uniform standard for digital travel documents and will strengthen security across the EU.
More info:… pic.twitter.com/PRa09UmgmG
— European Commission (@EU_Commission) October 8, 2024
At the heart of the proposal is the EU Digital Travel app, which would hold citizens’ personal data, including biometric details and passport information. While marketed as a voluntary program, skeptics argue that participation could soon become mandatory, with those who refuse being locked out of basic services or even denied the right to travel. This shift would create a system where citizens are forced to comply, with dissenters facing serious consequences.
The digital passport is part of a larger effort to centralize power through the European Digital Identity program, which includes digital driver’s licenses and sets the stage for a broader surveillance infrastructure. Critics assert that this is not just about securing borders, but about extending government reach into every aspect of life, from healthcare decisions to daily movements, under the guise of security. […]
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