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SINGAPORE: Iris and face scans are now the main biometric markers for travelers at all immigration checkpoints, replacing fingerprints, the Immigration and Control Points Authority (ACI) said on Wednesday (October 28). .
At a demonstration at Woodlands Checkpoint Wednesday morning, travelers in the automatic immigration lanes scanned their passports as usual and went through the first set of flappers. In the second set of flappers, where their fingerprints were normally verified, they were asked to look at a machine, which scanned their irises and facial features after removing their masks.
The system is currently for those who have ICA-enrolled their facial and iris biometrics. Fingerprints will continue to be used if the other two biometric identifiers are not available. About 70 percent of Singaporeans aged six and over with valid passports have registered, ICA said.
This includes Singaporeans holding a K series passport and citizens, permanent residents, long-term pass holders, and international travelers in the Frequent Flyer Program who have enrolled their facial and iris biometrics. Children under the age of six will not be eligible as their physical characteristics and related biometrics are still developing.
A biometric identifier at Woodlands Checkpoint on October 28, 2020 (Photo: Jeremy Long)
International travelers who register their fingerprint, iris and face information at the manual desk upon arrival in Singapore can also use it for departure clearance and future travel.
For those who have not registered, they will be asked to clear immigration using their fingerprints at the automatic gate. They can also register on the spot at the manual counters at the checkpoints during a trip.
“At the manual counters, our officers will capture the biometric data that needs to be recorded and that will be automatically stored in the system for future use,” said Deputy Superintendent Melvin Tiang, ICA’s deputy director of operations development. “You do not have to intentionally make a trip to the ICA building to enroll.”
The new contactless system has been active since July and has been implemented at land, sea and air checkpoints, but for now it is not extended to immigration points for cars and vehicles.
READ: Iris, face scan test for immigration clearance in progress at Tuas Checkpoint
When using contactless immigration clearance, travelers must remove masks and must not wear sunglasses, a cap, or other equipment that could block the face. They should also not wear colored or patterned contact lenses, as this interferes with the iris scan.
MORE “ROBUST AND RELIABLE” IRIS ID
Iris patterns have a greater degree of variation and uniqueness than fingerprints and are more “robust and reliable” for identification purposes, the National Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) said at a news conference Wednesday.
An iris scan provides nearly 250 feature points for matching, compared to approximately 100 for a fingerprint. The iris doesn’t change that much with age either, according to HTX. Fingerprints can fade due to aging, scarring, or dryness.
While the eyes and face will be scanned at the same time, the iris will be used as the primary identifier, while facial recognition provides a second verification of a person’s identity, the agency said.
“The use of the two biometric identifiers will provide even more reliable authentication of travelers’ identity and further strengthen ICA’s ability to safeguard Singapore’s borders,” HTX said.
A man demonstrates the use of a biometric identifier at Woodlands Checkpoint on October 28, 2020 (Photo: Jeremy Long)
Another advantage is that face and iris scans can be performed without contact, providing a “more hygienic and efficient form” of immigration clearance.
“This is important as we reopen our borders in the context of COVID-19,” said DSP Tiang.
To support the new system, HTX has developed a multimodal biometric system to centralize all biometric data and services.
The implementation of iris and face scanning is part of ICA’s plans towards a “new clearance concept”, in which Singapore travelers can potentially walk through immigration without presenting their passports.
“In the future, we intend to allow residents to clean up our immigration system even without presenting a passport, and this will come from 2022 when we implement the New Authorization Concept,” said DSP Tiang.
