The Seychelles, a paradise archipelago in the Indian Ocean, attracts many tourists every year. To enter the country, visitors must provide certain personal details to the relevant authorities. Let's find out how Seychelles immigration manages this sensitive data, in order to guarantee the security and confidentiality of travellers.
Gathering information on arrival
On arrival in Seychelles, travellers are subject to an immigration check to verify their travel documents, such as passport and entry form. These documents contain personal details such as name, date of birth, nationality, home address and length and purpose of stay. This information enables the authorities to determine whether the person is eligible to enter the country and to carry out a rapid security check..
Processing biometric data
In addition to the information contained in your travel documents, immigration can also collect biometric data, such as fingerprints or a photograph of the traveller's face. These elements are often used to prevent or even detect crime, particularly identity theft. However, they can also be used to improve the efficiency of the immigration process and reduce waiting times.
Secure storage of personal information
Once passenger data has been collected, it is stored in databases managed by the Seychelles government. These storage systems comply with strict security standards to prevent any unauthorised access or disclosure of personal information.. Data is also protected by technological devices such as firewalls, password authentication and encryption.
Information retention period
The Seychelles authorities generally retain travellers' personal information for a limited period, which may vary depending on the purpose of the processing. For example, data relating to entry control is usually deleted a few years after the end of the stay, while items relating to work permits may be kept for longer. This policy aims to preserve travellers' confidentiality while enabling the authorities to carry out investigations if necessary.
Managing requests for access to information
In accordance with the data protection principles in force, data subjects have the right to consult, rectify or delete their personal information held by Seychelles Immigration. To do so, they must submit a written request to the data controller. A reasonable amount of time is then allowed to respond to requests, taking into account the complexity and number of requests..
Tracking changes to data
When a traveller requests the rectification or deletion of their personal information, the competent authorities ensure that their databases are updated accordingly. In addition, the a history of actions carried out on the data can be kept in order to guarantee the integrity of the information and make it easier to check at a later date.
Sharing information with other government agencies
In certain cases, the Seychelles authorities may share travellers' personal information with other government bodies, such as the police or customs services. However, this sharing of information is not systematic and must comply with the legal framework in force. Clear inter-agency agreements are drawn up to specify the terms and conditions of collaboration between the various stakeholders.
International cooperation and information exchange
Seychelles, like any other country, takes part in information exchanges with foreign partners as part of the fight against crime. The authorities may thus transmit personal information on travellers suspected of offences such as terrorism or drug trafficking. However, these exchanges must comply with international rules in terms of data protection and the guarantees offered by the receiving State.
Measures to ensure confidentiality and security
To protect travellers' personal information, Seychelles immigration has introduced a number of measures. First and foremost, access to databases is meticulously controlled to prevent unauthorised intrusion. In addition, staff members responsible for data processing receive specific training on the protection of confidential information and their legal obligations.
Raising public awareness of data protection
The Seychelles government attaches great importance to raising public awareness of the need to protect personal data. Information campaigns and training sessions are regularly organised for Seychellois citizens and visitors from abroad. These actions help to strengthen mutual trust between travellers and the competent authorities and to promote a culture of responsibility when it comes to data management.
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