News and insight into biometric identification and authentication

Canada working on biometrics for foreign visitors

Friday, February 27, 2009

The Canadian government has been putting together plans to implement a system designed to collect biometric information from visitors in need of a visa, according to an Edmonton Sun article. A joint effort between the Canadian Immigration Department, Canada Border Services Agency and the RCMP, the system will be implemented in the next three to four years.


Aside from the common complaints and worries, such as worries about the security of data and whether or not the proposed system is a breach of personal privacy, the Immigration Department has faced political opposition as well. The primary opposition they are meeting is in the costs and manpower associated with refugee appeals.

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Biometrics enable expedited border screening

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Global Entry program is expanding enabling enrolled U.S. citizens to enjoy expedited screening when returning from travel abroad to a number of domestic airports. The program also makes them eligible to participate in similar programs at foreign airports.

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As part of the U.S. Department of State’s initiative to simplify and streamline customer service interactions and processes, the Office of Passport Services has started a 90-day pilot program for online passport card applications.

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VoiceTrust announced it has been awarded a grant from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Private Sector Investment (PSI) Program to roll out biometric identity systems in Pakistan.

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Privacy advocates in Canada have been raising concerns over the risk involved in two new biometric programs from the government that result in the sharing of private biometric data with other countries’ governments and possibly private corporations, according to an Embassy Magazine article.

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The UK Border Agency has announced intentions to require applicants applying for six-month stays from outside the European Economic Area to use biometric residency permits starting at the end of February 2012, according to an HR Magazine article.

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Some countries collect fingerprint or other biometric data from visitors but Afghanistan is going a step further a collecting the data from everyone entering or departing Kabul International Airport, according to the New York Times.

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