Three technology and defence contractors face legal action from eu-LISA, the European Union's agency overseeing critical border infrastructure. The Financial Times reported on Monday that IBM, France's Atos and Italy's Leonardo have been sued over prolonged delays in constructing the bloc's new biometric border screening system.
eu-LISA, responsible for managing large-scale information technology systems deployed across European borders and security operations, initiated the civil case in December 2025 at a court in Estonia, where the agency maintains its headquarters. A spokesperson for Harju County Court, the largest district court in Estonia, verified to the FT that the case had indeed been filed there. To date, no court hearings have been scheduled or held.
What the Entry/Exit System Does
The Entry/Exit System (EES) functions as a biometric database capturing the fingerprints and facial images of visitors from outside the European Union upon their initial arrival in the Schengen zone, which encompasses 29 nations. Its primary purpose involves tracking individuals who remain beyond their authorised duration or who appear on law enforcement watchlists.
Originally envisioned to go live in 2022, the system did not reach full operational status until April 2024. The launch period was marked by significant technical difficulties, particularly malfunctioning fingerprint recognition devices that contributed to extended wait times at numerous European airports during the summer months.
Operational Status and Financial Details
eu-LISA stated to the FT that the ongoing legal proceedings have "no impact on the functioning of the Entry/Exit System (EES), which is fully operational across Europe". The European Commission characterised the dispute as centring on development-phase setbacks rather than present-day system performance.
In 2019, eu-LISA granted the three firms a contract valued at €142 million to construct the system's foundational infrastructure. By 2021, the contract's total worth had grown to €212 million, according to reporting by the FT.
Years of Disputes Over Deadlines
Documents reviewed by the FT reveal an extended pattern of disagreement between eu-LISA and the contractors regarding unmet milestones and associated financial consequences. During October 2021, both Atos Belgium and IBM Belgium contested a penalty assessment, pointing to circumstances beyond their control such as the Covid-19 crisis. The following February, all three organisations pushed back against rescheduled timelines and levelled criticism at how eu-LISA managed the initiative.
The original agreement concluded in 2024, with a different consortium of firms subsequently assuming responsibility for ongoing work. Nevertheless, eu-LISA maintained that Atos, Leonardo and IBM bore accountability for the project through August.
Investigation Findings
A 2024 Bloomberg investigation examining internal eu-LISA records determined that Atos bore substantial responsibility for the project's postponements. The FT subsequently disclosed that Atos had leveraged its office in Moscow to acquire software components for the system. eu-LISA indicated that it had detected no security vulnerabilities as a result.
When approached by the FT, both Atos and Leonardo declined to provide statements. IBM similarly did not furnish a response to the newspaper's inquiry.
Source: The Next Web
