Wiewiórowski said one of the measures of the EU's new Migration and Asylum Pact contains “risks for Europol, in relation to the forecasted increase in the number of biometric data reviewed, including facial recognition”.

The regulation is aimed at strengthening both the role of Europol as well as cooperation between the police to prevent, identify and investigate migrant trafficking.

No proof the regulation’s measures are justified

The European Data Protection Supervisor has underscored his opinion on the need to “establish clear and binding mechanisms and rules that will provide adequate safeguards to reduce the risks for people."

"The fight against human trafficking and migrants is an important objective and it is a common goal in the interest of everyone," he said.

However, he continued, there is “no proof that the foreseen measures in the regulation are justified.