Missing migrants: Is missing data the missing link and can potentials of the big data regime be leveraged to bridge information gaps?

Eda, Luke

Abstract

The UNHCR estimates that in 2018, well over 75,000 migrants arrived in Europe by sea while more than 1,500 have been reported dead or missing (UNHCR, 2018). While missing migrants are defined using the fact that their families do not have any knowledge of their whereabouts—whether they are alive or dead; missing data refers to data and/or pieces of information that could potentially explain the ‘missingness’ of migrants but which the authorities missed out on collecting. Ideally, migrants may be counted in two ways namely: (a) when they arrive at destination points and the authorities record and processes their individual information including the conditions of their arrivals; or (b) when their deaths or going missing at sea and borders are reported to appropriate state authorities (Katherine Hoffmann et al, 2017). There are many reasons for “missingness” of data on migrant fatalities. Firstly, the majority of migrant deaths occur on irregular routes which means that important data on migrant journeys can easily escape the vigilance of surveillance authorities who tend to focus more on enforcement of border controls. Secondly, when migrant deaths occur in the high sea, many of the victims’ bodies are never recovered, and without any compiled list of passengers coupled with conflicting media reports on the number of deaths, the accurate number of the missing remains unknown (Missing Migrants Project, 2018). This is further exacerbated by the fact that migrants often face intimidations from people smugglers and coast and border guards involved in the process of migration which make it uncomfortable for surviving migrants to report deaths or give eye-witness accounts (Katherine Hoffmann et al, 2017) This paper asks if the potential of the Big data regime and their associated technologies, in particular, artificial intelligence and internet of vessels (IoV) can be leveraged to complement (not necessarily substitute) the more traditional approaches to searching for and counting missing migrants. Building on existing studies which has utilised analysis of two data sets namely: Ship Automatic Identification System data and Broadcast Warning data, to explain patterns of search and rescue operations as well as disclose maritime alerts about migrant vessels facing distress at sea (Global Pulse and UNHCR, 2017), the paper sheds light on how the opportunities offered by big data can help to bridge information gaps on migrant fatalities. It also considers the risks posed by big data, in particular, risks to individual privacy and the security of maritime rescue organisations and to what extent the EU GDPR can help allay those privacy and security fears.

Citation

Eda, L. (2018, March). Missing migrants: Is missing data the missing link and can potentials of the big data regime be leveraged to bridge information gaps?. Presented at INFOSOC Research Seminar Series, Bournemouth University

• Presentation Conference Type: Speech
• Conference Name: INFOSOC Research Seminar Series
• Conference Location: Bournemouth University
• Start Date: Mar 20, 2018
• End Date: Mar 20, 2018
• Deposit Date: Dec 10, 2022
• Keywords: Migrants, Migration, Immigration
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10231520
• Related Public URLs: https://microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk/cippm/2018/09/05/autumn-infosoc-seminar-series/