How Can Digital Tools Support Migration and Security Without Undermining Rights? A European Legal Perspective
At the heart of any digital transformation—especially in migration, peace, and security—must lie an unwavering commitment to dignity.
Digital transformation has become a defining feature of contemporary governance—including in the complex arenas of migration, peace, security, and development. From biometric registration and case tracking to border coordination and referral systems, digital tools are increasingly seen as indispensable for streamlining operations and supporting more coherent responses.
Yet, as these tools evolve, so too must our frameworks for accountability, privacy, and human rights.
At Stalwart & Associates International AB, we recognise the enormous potential of digitalisation to enhance transparency, reduce inefficiencies, and enable faster, more accurate decision-making. But we also believe that this potential must be pursued with care—and never at the expense of individuals’ rights and dignity.
Digitalisation in migration governance must be more than a means to increase efficiency. It must serve as a platform for legal certainty, procedural fairness, and rights protection, especially where systems engage people in vulnerable or precarious situations—whether they are on the move, seeking services, or being assessed for protection and support.
Within the European context, digital solutions handling personal or biometric data are subject to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This includes upholding the core principles of data minimisation, purpose limitation, transparency, and individual control. These aren’t just administrative hurdles—they are essential to safeguarding the dignity and legal standing of people whose lives may be profoundly shaped by the data collected about them.
The jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) reinforces this approach. The Schrems I and II rulings, which invalidated data-sharing arrangements with insufficient privacy guarantees, reaffirm that digital cooperation across borders must be underpinned by strong and enforceable rights safeguards. These precedents highlight that compliance is not optional—even in sensitive areas such as migration management.
In operational terms, this means that migration-related digital systems—whether national, regional, or multilateral—should be anchored in sound legal foundations and subject to rigorous oversight. Tools designed to support decision-making in areas such as identity management, mobility tracking, or individual case handling must be not only technically robust, but also transparent, reviewable, and rights-compatible. This includes clarity around data sources, algorithmic logic, and ensuring that individuals have the ability to understand, respond to, or seek redress for how their data is used—whether for referrals, service provision, or other procedural steps.
The risks of neglecting this are serious. Beyond reputational damage or legal exposure, there is a deeper risk of compromising public trust and potentially harming individuals who may be unable to challenge decisions shaped by opaque or unaccountable systems.
This is not a call to abandon digital innovation. On the contrary, we believe that digitalisation can be a force for inclusion, efficiency, and fairness—when it is shaped by a strong normative and legal framework.
At Stalwart & Associates International AB, we advocate for digital tools that reflect not only technical capability but also social responsibility, legal integrity, and respect for fundamental rights. In the intersecting fields of migration, peace, and security, this means designing systems where efficiency does not come at the expense of dignity—and where technology serves the law, not the other way around.