Real-time passenger data dashboard would ‘improve border security’

A real-time passenger-data dashboard would improve border security, tourism planning and investment decisions, Senator Ryan Forde has suggested as the Senate moved to pass the Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record Bill on Wednesday.

Senator Forde, who endorsed the legislation, argued that the government should move quickly to modernise the use of passenger information, noting that competing Caribbean destinations were already benefiting from live data.

He said: “This move by the government is one that I applaud, and I ask for government to go a step further and faster at implementing a real-time data dashboard.

“As we are currently operating in an environment that is far more competitive than Barbados, where numerous islands in the Caribbean… have live dashboards.

“By the end of the day, they know where everyone is coming from and where they’re staying on-island from a security perspective, and that can assist in making smarter business decisions as to where to invest… and where the diaspora is located for re-engagement.”

The bill makes provision for the collection, transmission, sharing, storage and regulation of Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data. It requires airlines, vessel operators and their agents to provide passenger information before, during and after travel; establishes a Passenger Information Unit and a Data Protection Officer; and facilitates Barbados’ participation in the regional CARICOM Advance Passenger Information System.

Drawing on his experience as chief executive of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, the independent lawmaker maintained that Barbados should match its ambitions with modern technology, adding: “I know firsthand from the tourism world that we welcome the opportunity to meet with the new minister of home affairs and other ministries to finally bring this to a reality and quickly.

“After all, we want to be known as a safe place to do business or live in the Caribbean. Especially since we continuously champion the steps Barbados is taking at advancing the country, then we need legislation and action that matches.”

Describing the measure as “one of the most important bills when it comes to our border patrol security”, Senator Forde said it would strengthen Barbados’ ability to monitor travellers while also creating opportunities for economic planning.

He added: “The PNR also allows government organisations, such as Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., to make smarter decisions related to their marketing programmes, airline partnerships, and cruise ship arrangements. It facilitates targeted in-market exercises to capture more international tours, but also the diaspora who are interested in reinvesting in their home country of Barbados, or just visiting family, friends or attending one of our great national festivals.”

He also pointed to wider economic benefits, stating that the information could help the government make “smarter decisions in terms of agriculture, manufacturing, and of course, the sourcing of raw materials”.

The senator emphasised that the legislation contained significant privacy protections.

“The privacy safeguards listed in the bill is also very strong. It prohibits automated decision-making with adverse legal effects on individuals. It bans processing based on race, political opinion, religion, health, or sexual orientation, and it mandates human review of any positive match before action is taken.”

Although backing the legislation, he suggested several amendments, including narrowing health-related embarkation requirements, strengthening safeguards governing transfers of information to third countries and requiring Data Protection Officer approval before international data transfers.

Forde also urged the government to continue strengthening border security beyond passenger screening, suggesting more effective cargo inspections and greater scrutiny at ports of entry. He nevertheless acknowledged the integrity of the vast majority of personnel working there.

“There are other areas that further safeguarding can be done… with more effective inspection of cargo, greater inspection of the personnel who enter the port for various reasons; just as every passenger is not a criminal, neither are the team members within those agencies.”

Senator Forde argued that Barbados could no longer rely on existing practices as global threats evolved.

“The steps taken to safeguard our borders are very important in this ever-changing global environment of greed and anger, which also result in crime and, in some instances, the spread of diseases. We cannot continue with business as usual.”

(LE)