The invisible border — how 9/11 reshaped global security and identity 25 years later

Twenty-five years after 9/11, it is hard not to consider how much of what followed has become part of everyday life. On that tragic day, many witnessed the events unfold and recognized their significance. However, the true extent of the changes wrought by the response to 9/11 was not immediately apparent. Today, border controls, migration, and identity are all deeply affected by the aftermath of 9/11, yet these alterations are often taken for granted.

Biometric passports, fingerprinting, facial recognition, and the submission of personal information at immigration counters have become commonplace. These practices were not solely born from 9/11, but they did give urgency, legitimacy, and technological momentum to the securitisation of migration. Before 9/11, migration had already been framed as a security issue in Europe, associating it with public order, crime, terrorism, and national identity.

The attacks only accelerated this process, expanding borders beyond territorial lines and embedding them within various stages of travel, from visa applications to digital databases.

The 'biometric border' is a term coined to describe this evolution, where borders transcend physical boundaries, infiltrating visa processes, airlines before departure, advance passenger information, watchlists, and even embedded in passports with biometric chips, fingerprints, and facial recognition. The 2006 concept of 'biometric border' highlighted concerns about technology's role in distinguishing between legitimate and risky mobility, with travellers' identities shaping these assessments.

South Africa, with its long history of biometric identification, has a unique perspective on this transformation. The country's history of using biometrics for control during colonialism and apartheid provides insight into the potential benefits and challenges of modern biometric systems. While reliable identification is essential, it is crucial to consider what happens once identities are verified.

What information is linked to these identities, and how can decisions based on this information be challenged if errors occur?

South Africa's forthcoming Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system exemplifies this trend, using biometric data for passport verification and automated risk analysis. However, the implementation of this system is only the beginning. The government is also drafting regulations for a Digital Identity system, allowing citizens to hold digital versions of Home Affairs documents and confirm identity through biometric verification.

These advancements offer practical solutions but must be balanced with concerns about data security and the potential for misuse.