Article 109 of the Schengen Convention stipulates the rights of individuals to be informed about data contained in the SIS. Besides, under Article 110, an individual has the right to demand rectification or deletion of incorrect data, if stored unlawfully.
If a person encounters problems during a visa application or when arriving at a Schengen border and therefore wants information on the data relating to her/him being processed in the SIS, this person has the right to contact a Schengen State of her/his choice (art. 109 Schengen Convention).
The person can also address the relevant national authority, which is in charge of data collection, or in case of denial – the national authority for personal data protection. They may provide to you the following information:
• the data processed
• information about the authority/service that had asked to store the data
• possible recipients
• purpose of the use of the data
• legal basis
However, such information can be refused, if its disclosure is not in the public interest, in particular, if because of such information a crime could not be prevented or its prosecution is stopped.
To access SIS data the person must prove her/his identity in an appropriate manner. This means the person should append a photocopy of an official identity document that carries her/his signature (e.g. a passport, identity card, driving license). The request for information must be made in writing – on paper or by fax. Requests by telephone or e-mail may not be answered.
