Biometrics

On 12 February 2026, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) and the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) Trainees organise the conference Data takes flight: Navigating privacy at the airport. The conference will raise awareness about what happens to personal data when travelling by air and encourage a critical and informed discussion about data protection, security, and the usage of personal data in this context.

When: 12 February, 14:00 to 17:00 (GMT+1, Brussels time, ending with a networking coffee)

Where: European Parliament Zweig Building (Agora), Brussels, Belgium and Online

• Register here

From entering personal data during the booking procedure to scanning passports at security – personal data is collected and used at many different stages when travelling by air. Passengers may not always be aware of how many actors, databases, and systems interact with their data each time they take a flight. Therefore, at this conference, we aim to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the journey personal data takes with every flight.

Air travel illustrates the complexity of modern data ecosystems. Together with experts from different backgrounds, we will look at the current and potential future state of how passengers’ personal data is collected and used in airports, and what this means for privacy.

The presentations and discussions touch upon:

• The lifecycle of passengers’ personal data in the context of air travel – from booking to boarding
• The balance of public security objectives and passengers’ rights to privacy and data protection
• The influence of technologies like biometrics
• The future implementation of data systems on the handling and protection of passengers’ data

As every traveller becomes part of this complex data ecosystem, the conference aims to make it more relatable and understandable. Staying true to the tradition of the Trainees Conference, the event provides a platform for young professionals to engage with experts, deepen their understanding of current data protection issues, and reflect on what they should keep in mind the next time they enter an airport.

Preliminary Agenda

The final agenda will be uploaded soon.

EDPS Formal comments on the draft Delegated Regulations amending Delegated Regulations C(2022) 4775 and C(2022) 4759 of 11.7.2022 supplementing Regulations (EU) 2019/817 and 2019/818 as regards determining cases where identity data are considered as same or similar for the purpose of the multiple identity detection.

Supervisory Opinion on the ground for lawfulness of the attestation of MEPs' attendance via a voluntary biometric verification method

EDPS Supervisory Opinion on the implementation of the EDPS recommendations on the MEP biometric attendance register (included in the EDPS Opinion of 29 March 2021).

EDPS Formal comments on the draft Commission Implementing Decision on the technical specifications for the quality, resolution and use of fingerprints and of the facial image for biometric verification and identification in the Visa Information System (VIS) and repealing Commission Decision 2006/648/EC and Commission Decision 2009/756/EC