Technology Employed Against Migrants in the UK
In the realm of border control, the British government has been increasingly relying on technology to combat irregular immigration. This shift towards a tech-focused approach has been evident in the English Channel, traditionally a border less reliant on high-tech tools compared to others, such as the US-Mexico border.
One of the key players in this tech-driven strategy is Tekever, a defense start-up that recently reached the coveted "unicorn" status, thanks to a £1 billion partnership with the British state. Tekever, along with other companies like Telespazio and De Havilland, operates in the border control area. These companies claim that their devices offer a more precise identification of the number and nature of vessels crossing, and can identify people in distress much more quickly, aiding rescue efforts.
The Franco-British collaboration in this area has also been strengthening. A recent agreement, concluded in July, provides for the return of certain boats to the other side of the English Channel. However, the use of AI and other technologies in border control is not without controversy. Samuel Singler, a professor of criminology at the University of Essex, suspects that the use of AI is more a matter of communication than a technical solution to a problem. He believes the main issue lies not in identification but in the political problem related to the return of people whose asylum requests have been rejected.
The British government is also considering the use of AI to estimate the age of asylum seekers who claim to be minors. This move, while aimed at ensuring the accurate distribution of resources, raises questions about the ethical implications of such technology.
Despite the growing reliance on technology, the reluctance to systematically use drones for border control may be due to legal responsibility reasons. Drones might witness a massive drowning without taking action, potentially leading to legal repercussions.
The UK is counting on rising stars of the defense industry to help it achieve its objectives of reducing the number of irregular arrivals on its soil. However, the use of drones and other technologies in border control is often presented as a universal solution, but tangible results are not always evident.
In the year ending March 2025, 44,125 irregular arrivals were detected, a 14% increase on the previous year, and 86% of them arrived on small boats. This underscores the ongoing challenge the British government faces in managing irregular immigration and the need for effective solutions.
In 2024, 73 people died attempting to cross the English Channel on a small boat, more than all the previous years combined. This tragic incident highlights the urgent need for a balanced approach that prioritises both security and humanitarian concerns.
In a notable case in 2020, a man was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison for driving a boat carrying twenty people across the Channel from France. This serves as a reminder of the dangerous journeys people are willing to undertake in search of a better life.
Under international law, if coast guards see someone drowning, they are bound to rescue them, as stipulated by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This underscores the complexities involved in balancing security and humanitarian concerns in border control.
As the UK continues to navigate this complex landscape, the role of technology, and the ethical and practical considerations it raises, will undoubtedly remain a topic of heated debate.
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