Belgium mulls checking mobile phones, laptops of asylum seekers

Belgium is mulling a bill that would force asylum seekers to hand in their mobile phones and laptops to verify their identities, according to local media reports on Thursday.

The bill is now under preparation by Belgium's Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration Theo Francken, who said such a provision is allowed by EU directives.

"Between 60 percent and 70 percent of asylum seekers lie about some aspect of their identity, whether the name or age, the route they followed or their countries of origin," Belgian broadcaster RTBF quoted Francken as saying.

According to the report, the applicants' Facebook accounts may also be checked during the identity verification procedures.

Under current rules, such checks are not mandatory and can be refused by applicants.

As Europe struggles with unprecedented influx of migrants and refugees, many countries have tightened their migration policies.

Denmark passed a bill earlier this year to confiscate valuables of asylum seekers. Sweden, at the same time, is planning to deport up to 80,000 asylum seekers over the next few years. Endit