Asylum seekers in a Greek refugee camp, funded by the European Union (EU), face invasive phone confiscations and questionable AI-driven surveillance, according to a new report.
This report comes from non-governmental organizations, I Have Rights (IHR) and the Border Violence Monitoring Network (BVMN). It highlights severe privacy violations and raises significant concerns about the growing role of technology in managing migration. Greece’s refugee camps, particularly the Samos Closed Controlled Access Centre (CCAC), have become testing grounds for these AI solutions. Yet, this raises troubling questions about fundamental rights and privacy sacrificed for border control.
Last year, Greece’s Ministry of Migration and Asylum received a €175,000 fine from the Greek Data Protection Authority for data protection law violations, intensifying worries about the legality of these surveillance measures.
Phone confiscations are widespread. The report states that 88% of the asylum seekers it interviewed had their mobile phones taken upon arrival in Samos. Many were coerced into unlocking their devices. After getting them back, some noticed tampering—apps accessed, photos deleted, or battery levels altered. The legal framework for these seizures is murky: while Greek authorities deny them, Frontex, the EU border agency, noted in communication with IHR that phone removal appears in confidential plans. Legal experts suggest this likely breaches EU data protection laws.
One asylum seeker described the situation: “You could not say no [to the police]. They arrived, screaming and giving orders.” Another felt like a prisoner, thinking, “This is the punishment for having come illegally.”
Computer Weekly has gathered similar testimonies from asylum seekers across Greece, but it’s still unclear if data is extracted from the phones and how that information is used in asylum processes. A Frontex spokesperson affirmed the agency adheres to EU law and does not seize devices, claiming these actions are under national authority.
The report also draws attention to AI surveillance systems at the Samos camp, namely Centaur and Hyperion—both funded by the EU. Centaur employs cameras, drones, and AI to monitor for potential threats, while Hyperion uses biometric data for access control. Many residents view the camp as a high-tech prison, feeling constantly watched. A staggering 92% of residents interviewed were unaware of CCTV monitoring, while 85% noticed no signage indicating camera use. Camp workers echoed this, confirming they had received no information about the surveillance systems.
The report analyzed public documents and included interviews with camp residents, workers, and experts over the past year. It showcases the invasive phone extraction and the broader tech-related challenges faced by asylum seekers.
Notably, Israeli firms have contributed to these surveillance systems. Viisights specializes in behavioral recognition technology and has installed its AI in the camp. Meanwhile, Octopus integrates multiple surveillance technologies into a central system, with clients that include Israel’s Ministry of Defence.
The Greek Data Protection Authority’s investigation into these systems revealed serious deficiencies in their implementation, identifying incomplete data protection assessments. Previous findings indicated that Greek authorities seemed to seek compliance with GDPR retroactively, which is against the law. Despite the fine and direction to comply with GDPR guidelines, it’s unclear if they’ve taken corrective measures.
Critics see the Samos CCAC as a potential model for invasive surveillance practices across Europe, tying into a broader EU migration strategy. Ella Dodd from IHR criticized the camp’s promised humane standards, noting that reports from those within the camp reveal a very different reality.
While many asylum seekers placed more emphasis on urgent issues like overcrowding and poor medical care, they also reported distress over phone confiscations. The NGO report calls for an end to these practices, recommending less invasive alternatives and greater transparency regarding surveillance technology. The Greek migration ministry did not respond to inquiries about these findings.
