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'Failsafe' face scanners could replace passport officers at airports
Last updated at 11:55am on 19.08.08
Facial recognition machines are to be installed at airports to replace passport officers under border control plans announced today.
The machines will scan a travellers' face to compare them with the images on their biometric passports and open an automated gate when a match is registered.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, who unveiled details of the scheme today, claims it will shorten immigration queues and boost border security.
Air passengers who agree to fingerprint and face checks are currently fast-tracked through Heathrow
Critics fear, however, that the technology could generate too many false readings in which passengers with genuine passports are refused automatic entry.
There are also concerns that the replacement of personal inspections by passport officers could reduce the chances of detecting individuals who might otherwise be observed behaving suspiciously.
A trial scheme will begin at Manchester Airport and will be expanded elsewhere in the country if it proves successful.
The facial scanners will be used to check passengers from the EU, Norway, Switzerland and Iceland and are intended to cut the time each traveller needs to clear passport control.
Ministers insist the technology is fail-safe and that when a passenger is refused automatic entry an immigration officer will be on hand to conduct a follow-up check on their status.
Passport control officers could disappear from airports and replaced with machines
Some critics believe the machines will be prone to error because of the inability of facial recognition systems to make perfect matches consistently.
They fear that this could lead to large queues and subject some passengers - such as the elderly - to an unnecessary ordeal each time they try to return to the country.
Ms Smith expressed confidence in the machines, however, and said they could play an important role in strengthening Britain's borders.
'The UK has one of the toughest borders in the world and we are determined to ensure it stays that way,' she said.
'Our hi-tech electronic borders system will allow us to count all foreign nationals in and out of the UK, while checking them against watch lists.
'These checks make up just one part of Britain's triple ring of security, alongside fingerprint visas for three-quarters of the world's population, and the roll out of ID cards for foreign nationals, locking people to one identity.'
Most passengers from outside the EU are now required to obtain a biometric visa, with details of their fingerprints, before travelling to Britain.
Reader views (19)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
First, are those who criticize government for not doing enough. Then comes the complaints of overly restrictive measures that cause time delays. Then it's Big Brother tactics that infringe on our rights. Followed closely with worthless technology.
While I agree, Ms. Smith over states the capabilities of the system, it does not mean the system shouldn't be used to enhance security. As pointed out by an earlier post, set the thresholds on the system to err on the side of caution. Border entry will still have a queue, but the queue should be shorter. Meanwhile, you're trying to find the best way to address better security with less delay.
Governments have always collected data on their citizens for a host of reasons, so I don't see this as some leap towards Big Brother. We all have to be willing to live with some compromises to promote better security/safety. The key word is better...not perfect. Ms. Smith could certainly use a better public relations department. Grin
- Joe, US
New recruited terrorists have a blank record and good passport. These scanners will not detect if they are sweating and up to something
El Al has still the best security. personal interrogation with someone who really cares to do the job right.
- Ann, San Francisco
Gee, what a great cost saving idea. As long as his passport and iris match, the terrorist who is not on the watch list can come in and would not be inconvenienced or even slowed down. Hello? Passport control does more than just stamp passports. Can you say "First Line of Defense".
- Himself, Spokane, WA
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