EU moves to strengthen Europol against rising digital, cross-border crime

The European Commission on Wednesday unveiled measures to enable Europol, the EU's law enforcement agency, to respond more quickly and effectively to cross-border and increasingly digital crime.

Europol warned ‌last year ⁠that ⁠organised crime gangs were turning to AI-powered ​scams to target victims. Tackling smuggling gangs that illegally ​move migrants across Europe remains a priority for many governments.

The Commission said ​Europol will build a ⁠sovereign cloud ‌infrastructure and create a shared ​data ​space to allow investigators to ⁠collaborate more easily on joint cases.


The ​agency will also establish support ​offices in EU countries, staffed by officers with prior Europol experience, the Commission said.

Europol will deepen cooperation with international partners and improve coordination with ‌Eurojust, the EU's judicial cooperation body.

"Criminals are highly adept at exploiting ​the opportunities ​of the ⁠digital realm, operating effectively across borders without limitations," EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said.

"We are ​strengthening both Europol and Eurojust so that Europe can respond faster... share information more effectively, and bring criminals to justice more efficiently," she added.