News and insight into biometric identification and authentication

IBG helped Maltese in e-passport implementation

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

The International Biometrics Group, a systems integration firm, has been contracted by the Maltese Government’s IT firm, Malta Information Technology and Training Services, to assist in the development of the country’s National Identity Management System. The new system will see the implementation of e-passports and e-IDs containing biometric information.


The specific roles IBG has played in the implementation of the system has been consulting on procurement and evaluation as well as conducting feasibility studies and writing required specifications for their systems. Among the findings IBG assisted in was the standardization of the different cards so that all citizens could enroll at one place to reduce redundancy and ease support. [end] 

After a nearly three-year delay, the Algerian government has finally launched its biometric passport program.

Magharebia reports that the biometric passports, which contain a contactless smart card chip that holds a digitized photo, fingerprints and signature, were supposed to be released in 2009. But the documents were delayed due to complexities with the operation of the project and the need to thoroughly research and analyze other countries’ experiences with biometric passports.

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CBP denies report

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Fingerprint biometric identification provider BIO-key International, Inc. and Oakwell Engineering Limited partnered to create the new gate, designed for use by passengers with electronic passports. Passengers submit their e-passports and authenticate with a fingerprint.

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Passport Canada CEO Christine Desloges has announced that Canada will start issuing e-passports by the end of next year, according to Citytv.com.

Speaking at a conference at the Montreal HQ of the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization, Desloges declared, “Canada is on track for the full-scale delivery of its e-passport. Next year we will roll out the full issuance.”

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