The European Data Protection Board ('EDPB') published, on 7 March 2023, a blog post on LinkedIn reminding of the entry into operation, on the same date, of the new Schengen Information System ('SIS'), according with Regulation (EU) 2018/1861 of 28 November 2018 on the Establishment, Operation and Use of the Schengen Information System (SIS) in the field of Border Checks and Regulation (EU) 2018/1862 of 28 November 2018 on the Establishment, Operation and Use of the Schengen Information System (SIS) in the Field of Police Cooperation and Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters. In particular, the EDPB noted that the SIS is a large-scale IT system which supports internal security and the exchange of information on persons and objects between national police, border control, customs, visa, and judicial authorities within the Schengen area.

In this regard, the EDPB explained that, in order to better address counter-terrorism and irregular migration, the existing SIS regulations were amended to include, among others, a more extensive use of biometric data and the creation of new categories of alerts.

Further, the EDPB specified that the SIS will be under the purview of the Coordinated Supervision Committee ('CSC'), which brings together the national European data protection authorities and the European Data Protection Supervisor ('EDPS') to ensure coordinated supervision of large-scale IT systems and of EU bodies, offices, and agencies.

You can read the LinkedIn blog post here and the European Commission's press release here.