Explanation: The Schengen Information System (SIS) is maintained by the European Commission, not primarily by the Council of the European Union. Its function extends beyond just external border controls to include national security and law enforcement.

Explanation: The SIS is an integral part of the 'Politics of the European Union,' specifically categorized under the 'Schengen Area' section, highlighting its role in EU justice and home affairs.

Explanation: The SIS is a governmental database used by 31 European countries to enhance national security, border control, and law enforcement by sharing information across borders, compensating for the relaxation of internal border checks.

Explanation: The Schengen Information System (SIS) is maintained by the European Commission, which is the executive arm of the European Union.

Explanation: The SIS was created to maintain European security by providing a shared database for law enforcement and border control, compensating for the removal of internal border checks.

Explanation: The Schengen Information System is an integral part of the 'Politics of the European Union,' specifically falling under the 'Schengen Area' section.

Explanation: SIS II became operational on 9 April 2013. The original SIS first became operational in 2001.

Explanation: The SIS information processing system must be permanently connected to national databases and updated in real-time to ensure immediate access to current security information.

Explanation: The SIS uses a star architecture with a central site (C-SIS) holding the reference database, while each national site (N-SIS) holds a copy.

Explanation: France manages the SIS, and data updates are automated, occurring every five minutes to ensure currency.

Explanation: The SIRENE office's function is to record 'hits' on SIS data and forward information for investigations, not to manage the central database or its technical infrastructure.

Explanation: SIS1 was renewed in November 2011 primarily to enable the connection of more nations to the system, not specifically for data encryption enhancements.

Explanation: 'SISone4ALL' was developed by Portugal's SEF and Critical Software, and offered by Portugal, not Germany.

Explanation: Eu-LISA is responsible for the operational management of the SIS and other large-scale IT systems, not for proposing legislation.

Explanation: SIS II, the second technical version of the Schengen Information System, went live on 9 April 2013.

Explanation: A key technical requirement is that the SIS information processing system must be permanently connected to national databases and updated in real-time.

Explanation: The SIS uses a data-processing star architecture with a central site (C-SIS) managed by France, and national sites (N-SIS) in each participating country.

Explanation: The SIRENE office records 'hits' on SIS data records and forwards further information to assist ongoing investigations, facilitating detailed cooperation between national authorities.

Explanation: The main reason for the renewal of SIS1 in November 2011 was to enable the connection of more nations to the system, expanding its reach and effectiveness.

Explanation: Portugal offered the use of 'SISone4ALL' in 2007, a version of the SIS developed by its Border and Foreigners Service (SEF) and Critical Software.

Explanation: Eu-LISA is the European Agency responsible for the operational management of large-scale IT systems, including the Schengen Information System.

Explanation: The SIS stores alerts for various categories, including missing persons, minor age, mental illnesses, and lost, stolen, or misappropriated documents, in addition to individuals suspected of crimes.

Explanation: Person alerts constitute approximately 1.9 percent of the SIS database; the majority of entries are related to lost identity documents.

Explanation: Each 'person alert' includes comprehensive details such as name, date of birth, gender, nationality, known aliases, history of arms possession or violence, the reason for the alert, and the required action upon encounter.

Explanation: The Schengen Information System (SIS) does not record travelers' entries and exits; its focus is on alerts for security and law enforcement purposes.

Explanation: Schengen nations are legally obligated to uphold the privacy and personal freedom of individuals whose data is stored in the SIS, in addition to respecting the legal force of the information.

Explanation: Consultation procedures regarding SIS data cover various issues, including confirmation of information, variations in actions, questions of residency, and international warrants for arrest.

Explanation: A key responsibility of the authority controlling the Schengen Information System is the protection of personal data, in addition to managing the system's operations.

Explanation: Individuals must submit applications for data corrections or removal to the relevant national authority, not directly to the European Commission.

Explanation: The Schengen Information System (SIS) does not record travelers' entries and exits from the Schengen Area; its focus is on specific alerts related to individuals and objects for security and law enforcement.

Explanation: Person alerts constitute approximately 1.9 percent of the Schengen Information System database, with the majority of entries related to lost identity documents.

Explanation: A 'person alert' in the SIS database includes the specific action to be taken if the person is encountered, along with other identifying details.

Explanation: Schengen nations are legally obligated to uphold the privacy and personal freedom of individuals whose data is stored in the SIS, in accordance with national data protection laws.

Explanation: Consultation procedures regarding SIS data include confirmation of information, variations in actions, questions of residency, and international warrants for arrest, but not negotiations for new EU member state accession.

Explanation: A key responsibility of the authority controlling the Schengen Information System, composed of member nation representatives, is the protection of personal data.

Explanation: The SIS database tracks lost, stolen, and misappropriated firearms, identity documents, motor vehicles, and banknotes, in addition to data about individuals.

Explanation: Individuals can request data corrections or removal from the SIS by submitting an application to the relevant national authority.

Explanation: The Schengen Information System (SIS) is currently utilized by 31 European countries, which include both EU member states and non-EU countries.

Explanation: The original five participating countries in the Schengen Agreement Application Convention (SAAC) were France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Explanation: Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway are EFTA members and participate in SIS. Switzerland is also an EFTA member and participates in SIS, but it is not a member of the EEA.

Explanation: Ireland joined the law enforcement aspect of SIS on 1 January 2021 and achieved full operational capacity by March 2021.

Explanation: While UK access ceased on 1 January 2021, the UK was negotiating to rejoin SIS II in 2023, although the EU later ruled out access in May 2025.

Explanation: The Treaty of Rome was completed on 25 March 1957, establishing the European Economic Community, while the original Schengen Agreement was completed on 14 June 1985.

Explanation: The original Schengen Agreement was signed by France, Germany, and three of the Benelux nations (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg), not all five.

Explanation: Croatia joined the Schengen border-free zone on 1 January 2023, which was a recent significant enlargement of the area.

Explanation: Bulgaria and Romania gained full access to the Schengen Information System on 1 August 2018, after initially joining for law enforcement cooperation in 2010.

Explanation: Croatia joined SIS II for law enforcement cooperation on 27 June 2017, and later gained full access to the Schengen border-free zone on 1 January 2023.

Explanation: Cyprus gained full access to the SIS on 25 July 2023, following European Parliament approval in May 2022 and subsequent endorsement by the Council of the European Union.

Explanation: In June 2020, the House of Lords' Security and Intelligence subcommittee expressed concerns about potential delays in UK access to counter-terrorism intelligence due to post-Brexit trade negotiation failures.

Explanation: Despite ongoing negotiations, the EU explicitly ruled out giving the UK access to both SIS II and the EuroDAC fingerprint database on 5 May 2025.

Explanation: On the map, blue signifies states that fully operate the Schengen Information System, while purple denotes states operating it only for law enforcement cooperation.

Explanation: In 2019, UK law enforcement conducted 571 million searches in the Schengen Information System database, underscoring its significant reliance on the system.

Explanation: The Schengen Information System (SIS) is currently utilized by 31 European countries, including both EU member states and non-EU countries.

Explanation: The five original participating countries in the Schengen Agreement Application Convention (SAAC) were France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Explanation: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are non-EU countries that participate in the Schengen Information System.

Explanation: Ireland achieved full operational capacity for the law enforcement aspect of the Schengen Information System by March 2021, having joined on 1 January 2021.

Explanation: As a consequence of Brexit, the United Kingdom's limited access to the SIS ceased entirely on 1 January 2021.

Explanation: The Treaty of Rome, completed on 25 March 1957, established the European Economic Community, preceding the Schengen Agreement.

Explanation: The original Schengen Agreement was completed on 14 June 1985 by France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Explanation: Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Austria, and five Nordic Passport Union countries joined the Schengen Agreement on 19 June 1990.

Explanation: Bulgaria and Romania gained full access to the Schengen Information System on 1 August 2018.

Explanation: Croatia gained full access to the Schengen Information System when it joined the Schengen border-free zone on 1 January 2023.

Explanation: The House of Lords' subcommittee expressed concerns about potential delays in access to counter-terrorism intelligence following the UK's loss of SIS access post-Brexit.

Explanation: On 5 May 2025, the EU explicitly ruled out giving the UK access to both SIS II and the EuroDAC fingerprint database, despite direct negotiations.

Explanation: On the map, blue-colored areas represent states that fully operate the Schengen Information System, indicating comprehensive participation.

Explanation: In 2019, UK law enforcement conducted 571 million searches in the Schengen Information System database.

Explanation: The significant enlargement on 21 December 2007 included Estonia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Croatia joined later, on 1 January 2023.

Explanation: The Schengen convention ensures police cooperation, including the ability to continue surveillance and pursue suspects across borders under specific conditions (Articles 40 and 41).

Explanation: The Common Travel Area is an arrangement for passport-free travel specifically between Ireland and the United Kingdom, distinct from the Schengen Area's border-free travel.

Explanation: The Treaty of Amsterdam provided a legal basis for Ireland and the United Kingdom to participate in certain aspects of Schengen cooperation, rather than excluding them.

Explanation: The Visa Information System (VIS) primarily facilitates the exchange of visa data for short-stay visas, while the European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS) handles criminal record data.

Explanation: The Prüm Convention is an agreement among some EU member states for the exchange of DNA, fingerprints, and vehicle registration data for law enforcement purposes.

Explanation: The European Economic Area Agreement extends the EU's single market but does not directly govern the operational management of the Schengen Information System.

Explanation: In addition to SIS and SIRENE, the Schengen convention ensures police cooperation, including the ability to continue surveillance across borders (Article 40) and pursue suspects (Article 41).

Explanation: Eu-LISA, ECRIS, and VIS are mentioned as related systems or agreements to the SIS, while NAFTA is not.

Explanation: The Common Travel Area is operated by Ireland and the United Kingdom, allowing for passport-free travel between them.

Explanation: The Treaty of Amsterdam provided a legal basis for Ireland and the United Kingdom to participate in certain aspects of Schengen cooperation, such as law enforcement.

Explanation: The European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS) facilitates the exchange of information on criminal convictions between EU member states.

Explanation: The Visa Information System (VIS) allows Schengen states to exchange visa data, primarily for short-stay visas, to facilitate processing and prevent 'visa shopping'.