“Digital migration: the use of digital technologies in border control and surveillance in the European Union”

Abstract: The increasing use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in the management of migration flows within the European Union (EU) has significantly transformed traditional notions of border control and surveillance. This thesis critically examines the deployment of biometric systems and other digital mechanisms, such as VIS, SIS, EES, ETIAS, Eurodac, and drones, assessing both their operational contributions and their inherent risks. Particular attention is given to the legal and ethical challenges that arise from such practices, with a focus on fundamental rights including human dignity, equality and non-discrimination, privacy and data protection, freedom of movement and the right to an effective remedy and fair trial. Furthermore, the study addresses structural issues of accountability and transparency in the governance of migration technologies, and critically analyzes the existence of discriminatory practices and racism within EU border management. Through a normative and critical legal methodology, this research explores whether the current regulatory frameworks adequately safeguard migrants' rights in the face of evolving technological landscapes. Grounded in a comprehensive literature review and analysis of international, European, and national legal instruments, this thesis underscores the urgent need for a rights-based approach to digital migration governance. It concludes by proposing recommendations aimed at ensuring that technological innovation in migration management does not come at the expense of human rights, dignity, and social justice in the European context.