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A new release of the Schengen Information System (SIS II) has been successfully deployed earlier this week. Adhering to the new legal base, version 9.3.0 includes new access control features that enable Europol, Eurojust and Frontex to query all types of alerts in the system and perform fingerprint and extended search queries.

SIS II acts as an information sharing system between all the countries that use it and holds information in the form of "alerts". Each Person alert can contain biographical information such as, name, date of birth, gender and nationality. SIS II can also store fingerprints and photographs of the person an alert is related to.

In addition, Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) functionality for SIS II (initially introduced in March 2018) has been enriched with search on slaps – an alternate method of collecting flat fingerprints that helps prevent mistakes or fraud.

SIS II is a highly efficient large-scale information system that supports law enforcement cooperation and external border control throughout the Member States of the European Union (and Schengen Associated Countries). It enables competent authorities, for example police officers and border guards, to enter and consult alerts on specific categories of wanted or missing persons and objects.

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