The European Union is moving forward with its plans to implement a new border control system on 10 November to manage the influx of hundreds of millions of visitors annually. However, concerns remain about whether the system will be operational by its scheduled launch next month.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) will be an automated IT system for registering travellers from third countries, both short-stay visa holders and visa-exempt travellers, each time they cross an EU external border. The system will register the person’s name, type of travel document, biometric data (fingerprints and captured facial images) and the date and place of entry and exit, in full respect of fundamental rights and data protection.
It will also record refusals of entry. The EU argues that the EES will replace the current system of manual stamping of passports, which is time-consuming, does not provide reliable data on border crossings and does not allow a systematic detection of overstayers – travellers who have exceeded the maximum duration of their authorised stay.
However, Bloomberg reports the plan has faced repeated delays since it was first presented in 2016. Several member states and industry lobby groups are calling for the November launch to be postponed again, fearing a hasty introduction will leave border enforcement agents unprepared.
Germany, France, and the Netherlands, which account for 40% of the EU’s air passenger traffic, informed the EU that the new EES system was malfunctioning and required further testing, which couldn’t be completed before the launch. The Netherlands cited instability in the system’s central computer, while Frankfurt airport warned that a failure could impact European and global air traffic, Bloomberg reports.
The BSV blockchain can help
The BSV blockchain offers a highly scalable, secure, and efficient platform that can be leveraged to create a digital passport system. By using its immutable ledger, the BSV blockchain could ensure that passport records are tamper-proof, providing an unchangeable record of an individual’s identity, citizenship, travel history, and other relevant information.
This would eliminate the risk of forgery or identity theft, as once data is added to the blockchain, it cannot be altered or removed. Moreover, through Teranode, the BSV blockchain can handle a large number of transactions at a low cost, making it feasible for global use where millions of people would need access to the system daily.
A passport system built on the BSV blockchain could also streamline the verification process across international borders. Instead of relying on physical documents, border authorities could access digital passports securely via a cryptographic key or digital signature unique to each individual.
These digital records could include all the information normally stored in physical passports, such as visa details, travel history, and biometric data, reducing the need for manual inspections and decreasing wait times at borders. The nature of the BSV blockchain ensures that no single entity controls the passport system, making it resistant to tampering by corrupt officials or centralised attacks.
Additionally, a blockchain-based passport system could empower individuals by giving them control over their identity data. Using the BSV blockchain’s built-in smart contract capabilities, users could authorise only specific entities to access their passport information when needed, such as airlines, immigration officials, or employers.
This selective disclosure of identity would enhance privacy while maintaining security, as users could revoke access at any time. The transparency and auditability of the BSV blockchain would also allow government agencies and international organizations to easily verify the authenticity of passports, reducing fraud and improving trust across borders.
