Guardian: EU asks tech firms to pitch refugee-tracking systems

“Border agency Frontex has asked for designs for smartphone apps and databases to track and manage refugees arriving in Europe […]
But some of the frontline organisations working with migrants questioned how such a system would work. Dr Maurice Stierl of WatchTheMed Alarm Phone, an organisation of activists that supports free movement of migrants, criticised the proposals. The organisation operates an emergency phone service for migrants whose boats get into trouble in various stretches of sea around Europe, contacting the nearest coastguards to alert them when they receive an SOS call. In the last 15 months they have received about 1,400 distress calls. “

External Link: Guardian: EU asks tech firms to pitch refugee-tracking systems

Alarmphone on X

🆘 ~ 93 people in distress off #Crete!
We are in contact with the group who escaped #Libya and is now drifting in a boat just 14 miles south of #Crete. They told us they have been at sea for 3 days and are without food or water. @HCoastGuard: bring them to land without delay!

🆘 ~30 people in distress in the Central #Mediterranean! RCC #Malta informed about a rescue operation last night. But so far, nobody from this group has been disembarked in Malta. We fear a #pushback. Where are they?

2 days ago we were alerted by 38 people who fled from #Benghazi, #Libya. The merchant vessel CMA CGM BERENICE rescued & transferred them yesterday to a patrol boat who took them to #Malta. We thank the captain & call on Malta to respect the people's rights & dignity.