The European Union sued IBM over problems with its border control system. Its launch caused disruptions at airports in 15 countries.
The lawsuit was filed back in December 2025, but this became known only now. The European Commission stated that the claims relate to delays in the development phase of the Border Control System (EES) and do not relate to its operation.
The border control system means that travelers from countries outside the EU and the Schengen area are photographed and fingerprinted upon arrival. This should help identify people who are overstaying or wanted.
The system was planned to be launched as early as 2022, but it only began to operate in the spring of 2026. Its launch was accompanied by many failures. Airports in 15 countries reported severe delays. Passengers were stuck at border control for hours, causing some to miss their flights and have to buy new tickets.