SINGAPORE : Singapore looks set to start testing a new biometric
passport next month.
The high-tech travel document will contain unique personal data,
possibly facial features, fingerprints or even an eye scan.
But the good news is you don't have to change your passport.
What is likely to happen is a chip stored with your biometric data
will be inserted into your current passport.
Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, the US has been pushing the
use of biometric technology at its borders to keep out would-be
terrorists.
By October next year, all Singaporeans entering America will need
biometric passports.
But the Republic is not waiting till then to roll out its own
high-tech travel document.
Biometric data, including facial features, fingerprint and perhaps
even a scan of your iris, will be stored on a small chip to be
embedded in a smart card, which will then be inserted into your
current passport.
This smart card may even double up as an identity card in the
future.
The best part is there is no need to change your entire passport to
clear immigration at the US checkpoints.
Industry experts Channel NewsAsia spoke to say this is the best
alternative; it is much cheaper than issuing new passports to all
Singaporeans.
All you need is a simple add-on to turn your passport into a
biometric travel document.
Both security and biometrics experts say Singapore's use of a smart
card to upgrade its passports may be a world first.
Kelly Richdale, managing director at A4Vision, explained, "To have
a self-standing card as opposed to a passport can be flexible. It
can also play an additional role such as an employee card and give
access to health benefits.
"The disadvantages are that the passports are seen as a document
issued by one authority with specific uses, so there is the fear it
could be too flexible and detract from the security of it."
IDLink Systems managing director Christopher Bian said, "Facial
(imaging) is definitely a good option with inter-operability.
Already, passports are using photos to compare; it's non-intrusive
and there's no issues with privacy."
The Government may release more details about Singapore's new
biometric passports next month.
The International Civil Aviation Organization, or ICAO, has only
made the facial biometric image of the holder mandatory, together
with a contactless chip that can be read across different borders
but other countries are free to add on other biometric
features.
Individual countries could also have the option of upgrading from
two-dimensional to three-dimensional facial recognition technology
over time.
This means the system will remain robust and possibly lead to
automated border control in the future. - CNA