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1. For a period of one year following notification by eu-LISA of the completion of the test of the MID referred to in Article 68(4)(b) and before the start of operations of the MID, the ETIAS Central Unit shall be responsible for carrying out multiple-identity detection using the data stored in the EES, VIS, Eurodac and SIS. The multiple-identity detections shall be carried out using only biometric data.

2. Where the query reports one or several matches and the identity data in the linked files are the same or similar, a white link shall be created in accordance with Article 33. Where the query reports one or several matches and the identity data in the linked files cannot be considered to be similar, a yellow link shall be created in accordance with Article 30 and the procedure referred to in Article 29 shall apply. Where several matches are reported, a link shall be created between each piece of data triggering the match.

3. Where a yellow link is created, the MID shall grant access to the identity data present in the different EU information systems to the ETIAS Central Unit.

4. Where a link is created to an alert in SIS other than an alert created under Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1860, Articles 24 and 25 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1861, or Article 38 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1862, the MID shall grant access to the identity data present in the different information systems to the SIRENE Bureau of the Member State that created the alert.

5. The ETIAS Central Unit or, in the cases referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article the SIRENE Bureau of the Member State that created the alert, shall have access to the data contained in the identity confirmation file and shall assess the different identities and shall update the link in accordance with Articles 31, 32 and 33 and add it to the identity confirmation file.

6. The ETIAS Central Unit shall notify the Commission in accordance with Article 67(3) only once all yellow links have been manually verified and their status updated as either green, white or red links.

7. Member States shall assist the ETIAS Central Unit where necessary in carrying out multiple-identity detection under this Article.

8. The Commission is empowered to adopt a delegated act in accordance with Article 69 in order to amend this Regulation by extending the period referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article by six months, renewable twice by six months each time. Such an extension shall only be granted following an assessment of the estimated completion time for multiple-identity detection under this Article, which demonstrates that the multiple-identity detection cannot be completed before expiry of the period remaining either under paragraph 1 of this Article or any ongoing extension, for reasons independent of the ETIAS Central Unit, and that no corrective measures can be applied. The assessment shall be carried out no later than three months before the expiry of such period or ongoing extension.