Biometric marker system at Tuas Checkpoint (Source: ica.gov.sg)Singapore (VNA) – Singapore’s Immigration andCheckpoints Authority (ICA) has announced the application of iris patterns andface scanning as the main biometric markers for travellers at all immigrationcheckpoints, replacing fingerprints.
The agency said that travellers at the automated immigrationlanes scanned their passports as usual and passed through the first set offlappers. At the second set of flappers, where their thumbprints will normallybe checked, they were asked to look at a machine, which scanned their irisesand facial features after they had removed their masks.
The system is currently for those who have enrolled theiriris and facial biometrics with the ICA. Fingerprints will still be used if theother two biometric identifiers are not available.
More than 2 million or 70 percent of Singaporeansaged six and above with valid passports have been enrolled, along with 130,000permanent residents, the ICA said.
The new technology has been piloted in Changi Airport andTuas checkpoint since 2019
In 2022, the ICA intend to allow residents to be able toclear the immigration system even without presenting a passport
Children below six will not be eligible as their physicalfeatures and related biometrics are still developing./.
VNA
