The ETIAS, a sort of travel authorization for citizens planning to visit the Schengen Area, was proposed by the EU and is now being actively developed. ETIAS travel authorization aims to develop a digital system that will streamline border checks while simultaneously protecting from health and security hazards. However, it has been suggested that ETIAS may be used as a component of an EU Intelligence Agency, which would aid European Union members in evaluating whether or not they should be concerned about terrorism. It is one technique via which ETIAS can achieve this goal, to pre-screen all applicants against existing databases. This is done to determine whether or not the individual has a criminal record and whether or not they have been involved in any illicit activities in the past. This is particularly true in light of the recently increasing number of terrorist acts worldwide.
