Biometrics
US Customs Consider Using Facial Recognition, Other Biometrics At US-Mexico Border
San Ysidro Border Crossing Customs and Border Protection is considering using biometric technology like facial recognition software on travelers leaving the United States by land. Last week, the agency put out a request for information on how biometrics might help accurately identify people leaving the U.S. The agency expressed interest in facial recognition, iris scanning and fingerprint reading. "Biometrics are the ultimate in identity," CBP executive director Colleen Manaher said. Biometrics are used already on some visitors coming into the U.S. Manaher believes recent advancements in biometrics could soon spot people overstaying their visas, for instance. "Right now, the biometric solutions of iris-on-the-move and face recognition are high contenders," she said. "But right now we’re only in the research phase." The agency has not begun the process of contracting with biometric companies. And it’s still too early to say exactly how this technology would be used at border crossings like San Ysidro or Otay Mesa. Officials say biometrics would not be focused on U.S. citizens and would adhere to strict privacy standards.
Source www.kpbs.org
CareVia Selected As Official Video Safety And Biometric Patient Monitoring Platform For Intelligent Hospital Pavilion At HIMSS 2014
February 22, 2014 — Chicago, IL (PRWEB) February 22, 2014 CareVia ( http://www.CareVia.com ), the premier provider of remote patient monitoring and communications, and the Intelligent Hospital, a subsidiary of the RFID in Healthcare Consortium, today announced that CareVia will be the official video safety and biometric patient monitoring platform for the Intelligent Hospital Pavilion at HIMSS 2014 in Orlando, Fla., from Feb. 23-26, 2014. As the healthcare landscape shifts to value-based care, the importance of making patient biometric data available in real-time has become increasingly important to the success of clinical and wellness organizations. A simple solution to a complex problem, CareVia automates key elements of remote population monitoring, management and communication, allowing for a real-time bi-directional flow of data, insights and communications. An end-to-end software solution, CareVia provides a secure means to acquire, transmit, store and access biometric patient information remotely at the hospital, in the home or on the go. As part of its service suite, CareVia also provides integrated HIPAA-compliant video conferencing and safety surveillance. With over 7,000 visitors last year, the Intelligent Hospital Pavilion is one of the most popular attractions at HIMSS, and will provide exciting demonstrations and use cases of health information technology from multiple collaborating vendors. At the Intelligent Hospital Pavilion, CareVia will be showcasing its remote monitoring and video safety platform. The operating rooms, intensive care unit, patient recovery rooms, cardiovascular center and home will be wired with CareVias monitoring technology. The video footage will be streamed in real-time […]
Source www.itbusinessnet.com
Vecna And Fujitsu Announce Strategic Partnership To Deliver A Patient Biometric Identification And Registration Solution
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. & FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif.–( BUSINESS WIRE )– Vecna , an innovative provider of patient self-service solutions, and Fujitsu Frontech North America Inc. , a leader in front-end solution technology, today announced a strategic partnership to deliver a complete biometric patient authentication solution. Fujitsu’s PalmSecure ® technology uses a near-infrared light to capture a patient’s palm vein pattern, generating a unique biometric template for identification verification. Vecna’s On-Site Registration solution enables patients to update demographics, pay bills, verify insurance, and print directions to their care provider. This joint solution reduces organizational expenses associated with manual data entry, prevents fraudulent behavior at the point-of-service, and reduces problems associated with duplicate records in the Master Patient Index. “Our On-Site Registration kiosks optimize patient communication at the point-of-service,” comments Ben Bau, Vice President and General Manager of Patient Self-Service Solutions at Vecna. “By working with Fujitsu’s PalmSecure solution, we’re able to complement barcode scanning, manual authentication, and credit card authorization with a biometric identification solution to offer patients and their providers valuable time-saving services.” “Since palm vein patterns are unique to each person, it is impossible to forge an individual’s identity,” says Randy Fox, Vice President, Currency Handling and Identity Product Solutions, Fujitsu Frontech North America Inc. “Also, because this innovative technology is highly accurate, healthcare systems are provided with an extra layer of necessary identity verification protection.” Vecna and Fujitsu Frontech North America Inc. will be exhibiting at HIMSS in booth #652 from February 24 – 27. For more information […]
Source www.businesswire.com
The Growth In Voice Biometrics For Banking
It’s been an interesting week for those interested in Financial Services and how biometrics could be used in the industry. It was the subject of my last post on Finextra (“ Voiceprints can counter ID theft, but other threats remain ”), looking at Barclays’s use of Nuance and Cisco Voice Portal and last week on Finextra brought out some of the industry trends. One major trend was in the story “ US Bank trials voice biometric access to mobile app ” . The move towards apps and mobile is creating some very significant changes in the nature of authentication and security. The traditional use of voice biometrics has been to authenticate callers who have dialled in over a land-line to contact centres. Biometrics have been seen as specific to the voice channel, expensive but potentially more secure for ID&V (as it checks who you are, not what you know) and potentially offering better customer service (as voice can allow more flexible menus than the traditional “….press 1 for…., press 2 for….” functionality of IVR). Mobile devices have changed this paradigm in a couple of ways. First, mobile voice tends to be a much lower quality than land line. Although this can be compensated for, in general terms the lower quality the input, the harder it is to use voice patterns to authenticate an individual. Voice biometric authentication can still be effective for mobile users but it does mean that a higher number of calls will need to be handed […]
Source www.finextra.com
Canada Eyes Wider Biometric Info Sharing
OTTAWA – Canada is eyeing greatly expanded sharing of immigration information — such as fingerprints of visa applicants — with not only the United States but other key allies. An internal memo prepared for Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander says the government is building an information technology system that could be used for the systematic exchange of biometric data with Britain, Australia and New Zealand. "Systematic sharing is preferable to manual case-by-case sharing because it can generate faster responses and be done at higher volumes," says the briefing memo, obtained under the Access to information Act. The federal government is already pursuing wide-scale sharing of immigration information with the United States under the highly publicized perimeter security pact. Beginning this year, the fingerprints of visa applicants to Canada from more than two dozen countries will be checked against a U.S. database that includes the prints of immigration violators, criminals and known or suspected terrorists. The federal privacy commissioner has expressed concerns about high-volume, routine information sharing with other countries, saying it may be impossible to control what happens to that data once sent abroad. The government says such data-sharing is essential to fight fraud and abuse of Canada’s immigration system. Biometric information — unique identifiers such as an iris scan or a fingerprint record — is considered especially useful. Lately there has been intense scrutiny of Canada’s security relationship with its closest allies — collectively known as the Five Eyes — due to intelligence leaks by former American […]
Source www.cambridgetimes.ca
Central Bank of Nigeria Kicks Off $50M Biometric ATM Project
While one bank in China tests the waters of biometric authentication at the ATM , an entire nation in Africa is taking the plunge. On Feb. 14, the Central Bank of Nigeria rolled out the first phase of its $50 million plan to migrate to fingerprint ID across all of the country’s ATMs and POS devices. At a launch ceremony in Lagos, CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi said fingerprint ID will enable customers of all Nigerian banks to initiate cardless transactions at the POS or ATM. "Thanks to the latest biometric technology, this will give Nigeria one of the most convenient and secure financial systems in the world," Sanusi said. Dermalog Identification Systems of Hamburg, Germany, has been chosen as vendor for the project. The company won an international tender for the project in autumn of 2013. "Fraud is one of the biggest challenges in the Nigerian banking sector," said Günther Mull, CEO of Dermalog. "Thanks to secure and convenient fingerprint identification, in future it will no longer be possible to fake and misuse identities. This will solve one of the most pressing problems for the Central Bank of Nigeria." The system also will make life easier for bank customers, who will no longer have to remember PINs or passwords but will simply place their finger on the reader to authenticate their identity, the bank said.
Source www.atmmarketplace.com
HID Global Acquires Biometric Leader Lumidigm, Enhances Authentication Portfolio
AUSTIN, Texas–( BUSINESS WIRE )– HID Global ®, a worldwide leader in secure identity solutions, today announced the acquisition of Lumidigm® , a global leader in authentication solutions that use multispectral imaging technology, software, and biometric fingerprint sensors to authenticate identities with a high degree of certainty. The acquisition extends HID Global’s authentication portfolio while positioning the company to deliver a variety of new secure identity solutions. “Lumidigm’s proven product portfolio will enhance our current strong authentication offerings, especially for healthcare, financial institutions and other high-security environments,” said HID Global President and CEO Denis Hébert . “The company has unique technology protected by a large patent portfolio and proprietary algorithms and has achieved strong penetration in key emerging markets including South America and Africa. Additionally, Lumidigm has a premier global customer base across multiple strategically important markets. We are extremely pleased to have Lumidigm’s talented team join the HID Global family.” Lumidigm’s technology solves problems with traditional biometric technology, whose contact-based measurement accuracy is degraded by non-ideal skin condition, poorly-defined or damaged fingerprints, and adverse environmental conditions. In contrast, multispectral imaging technology uses multiple light spectrums and advanced polarization techniques to extract unique fingerprint characteristics from both the surface and subsurface of the skin. This additional data enables multispectral imaging-based solutions to deliver the highest-quality fingerprint image and to more effectively discriminate real from imposter or “spoof” fingerprints. “This acquisition will enable Lumidigm to take advantage of HID Global’s size, channel and product development strengths to exploit a variety […]
Source www.businesswire.com
Orlando International First To Launch Biometric Kiosks for Arriving Passengers From Visa Waiver Countries
The Vancouver ‘Experience’ ORLANDO, FL. – Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the first U.S. airport to welcome travelers from visa waiver countries with innovative biometric kiosks to expedite the arrival experience. These self-service kiosks are now operational and processing international passengers who have Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel. The passenger-friendly kiosk enable travelers from arriving international flights to complete their Customs Declaration Form on touch-screens, have passports read and fingerprints and facial images captured. The innovative system adopts a “land, touch, go” concept that enhances the arrival experience. “This continues our Board and staff’s commitment to positioning Orlando International as a world-class airport in customer service,” says Frank Kruppenbacher, Chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “Reducing the times for arrival processing enhances the customer’s Orlando experience and makes Orlando an even more attractive global destination.” “This has been a collaborative effort with Customs and Border Protection (CBP), SITA (Societe Internationale de Telecommunications Aeronautiques) and Vision-Box,” says Phil Brown, Executive Director of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “It introduces innovative technologies to meet a real world need.” International traffic increased 4.9% for the rolling 12 months. Orlando has non-stop international service to 34 destinations.
Source www.aviationpros.com
Spanish Researchers Sniff Out Emerging Biometric Modality
February 6, 2014 – Researchers at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, along with the Ilía Sistemas company, are currently developing a new biometric modality that’s existed in the animal kingdom long before now: body odor. The research of the Group of Biometrics, Biosignals and Security (GB2S) of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) in collaboration with Ilía Sistemas SL has found that there are recognizable patterns of each person’s body odor that remain steady, which allows for identification with 85% accuracy. The researchers are also quick to point out that there is no criminal stigma attached to body odor identification, as there is to fingerprints and the nature of this kind of sensing could be quite uninvasive. “Identification could be at the same time when crossing the system stall,” the researchers say of a potential B.O. –sensing system installed somewhere like a train station or airport. Body odor can vary considerably, but the research carried out by the group of the GB2S of the UPM showed that during the analysis of 13 people in 28 sessions, recognizable patterns in BO make identification possible with an rate error of 15%. Sensors designed to smell people are increasingly sophisticated, but still can’t hold up to the accuracy of a dog. That being said, a system developed by the Ilí Sistemas SL company used in the trials, “has a high sensitivity to detect volatile elements present in body odor.” Developers are increasingly looking to other quantifiable measures for biometric identification, and body odor […]
Source www.biometricupdate.com
Florida Lawmakers To Consider Banning Biometrics In Schools
TALLAHASSEE — Polk County parents were apoplectic last year when they discovered the school district had been scanning the irises of students’ eyes without parental permission. The controversial practice might soon be banned. On Tuesday, state lawmakers will take up a proposal that would prohibit school districts from collecting biometric information, including the characteristics of fingerprints, hands, eyes and the voice. It would affect the Pinellas County school district, which allows schools to scan the palms of students’ hands instead of accepting cash in the cafeteria, and school systems that use fingerprint scanners. “We’ve been able to get kids through a lunch line for decades,” said state Sen. Dorothy Hukill, a Port Orange Republican who brought the idea to the Florida Senate. “Why do we need to take their biometric information when we know there is the potential for identity theft?” But the idea may meet resistance from local school boards, some of which want the flexibility to create their own policies. “Biometrics is coming,” said Miami-Dade School Board member Raquel Regalado, who spearheaded an effort to create a local biometrics policy this month. “It exists in the market. It will exist in our schools. It may end up being a viable way to ensure there isn’t fraud.” Broward school officials said there is no district-wide use of biometrics. The measure being considered by the Florida Legislature is part of a larger bill meant to address concerns over student data security. For years, Florida schools have used student achievement […]
Source www.bradenton.com
North America Leads World Government Biometric Systems Market
TD The Market Publishers Ltd London, UK (PRWEB) January 23, 2014 The worldwide market for government biometric systems is poised to be on an upward trend through to 2024. Currently, North America ranks as the leading regional market, driven primarily by the constantly rising demand for fingerprint recognition systems in the USA. The expenditures on government biometric systems in APAC are anticipated to witness substantial growth through 2024. Meantime, other emerging markets like Africa and Latin America are also anticipated to see positive growth in the upcoming decade. The spending on biometrics systems in the European countries is likely to be propelled by the increasing demand for national ID programs and e-passports. Biometric fingerprint identification and facial recognition segments are expected to call for the dominant market shares of the overall government biometric systems market in the next 10 years. The retinal/iris recognition segment is forecast to register a 5.79% CAGR through 2024. The major challenges being faced by the world government biometric systems market include, among others, the complexity and cost of implementation of such systems, as well as a strict control of access to databases keeping personal identification information. New research report “ The Global Government Biometric Systems Market 2014-2024 ” worked out by Strategic Defence Intelligence (SDI) has been recently published by Market Publishers Ltd. Report Details: Title: The Global Government Biometric Systems Market 2014-2024 Published: January, 2014 Pages: 173 Price: US$ 4,800.00 http://marketpublishers.com/report/industry/defence-security/global-government-biometric-systems-market-2014-2024.html An up-to-bottom view of the current situation in the worldwide market for […]
Source www.prweb.com
ImageWare Systems To Showcase GoMobile Interactive Multi-Modal Biometric Cloud Identity Management Services For Mobile Retail Payment
01/10/2014 | 08:30am US/Eastern Recommend: SAN DIEGO, CA–(Marketwired – Jan 10, 2014) – ImageWare Systems, Inc. ( OTCQB : IWSY ) (IWS), a leader in mobile and cloud-based, multi-modal biometric identity management solutions , will showcase its next-generation cloud identity management and authentication service, GoMobile Interactive™ (GMI), at Retails BIG Show, the National Retail Federation 103 rd Annual Convention & EXPO. The event will be held at the Jacob Javitz Convention Center in New York City on January 13-14, 2014, and ImageWare will be in the Fujitsu booth 3319. "In 2012, the United States saw more than 12 million identity fraud victims at a dollar cost of $21 billion, with the average financial loss per identity theft totaling $4,930," said Jim Miller, chairman and CEO of ImageWare Systems. "Worldwide mobile payments are expected to become a $400 billion market by 2015 and retail businesses will be at the forefront to protect themselves and their consumers. We are pleased to demonstrate such an important service and technology at Retail’s BIG Show with the IT security industry’s most reliable form of identity theft protection for accessing their gateway accounts via desktop and mobile devices." GoMobile Interactive (GMI) is a cloud-based, multi-modal biometric mobile identity management solution that enables messaged based unparalleled identity verification for existing and new mobile banking, mobile wallet, and other mobile applications that require a next-generation method to automate and verify the identity of the customer. GMI ensures fraud protection now at risk though legacy services and verifies […]
Source www.4-traders.com
UK Schools Fast To Adopt Biometrics: 1M+ Pupils Registered
New research has been published that shows more than one million children in England have had their fingerprints taken by their school, demonstrating a high demand for the technology despite possible privacy concerns. The figures come from a Big Brother Watch report " Biometrics in Schools " which calculated that over 1.28 million students had been fingerprinted in secondary schools and academies (based on data from the 2012-13 academic year). The research, gathered from Freedom of Information Requests to more than 3,000 schools, shows that at the start of the academic year 2012-13 an estimated 40% of schools in England are using biometric technology. Laws governing the enrolling of biometrics in schools were enshrined in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. Before that Act came into force, Big Brother Watch estimates that 31% of schools did not consult parents before enrolling children. Under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, the rules for schools and colleges that use biometric recognition systems, such as fingerprint identification and facial scanning, now state: For all pupils in schools and colleges under 18, they must obtain the written consent of a parent before they take and process their child’s biometric data. They must treat the data with appropriate care and must comply with data protection principles as set out in the Data Protection Act 1998. They must provide alternative means for accessing services where a parent or pupil has refused consent. A spokesman at the Association of School and College Leaders – which represents secondary […]
Source www.planetbiometrics.com
Biometrics: A Field That?s More Than Meets The Eye
biometrics By Maryalene LaPonsie, OnlineDegrees.com Cellphone passwords are so passé. With the launch of the iPhone 5s, the new way to unlock your cellphone is with a fingerprint. It is one of the latest — and most visible — ways biometrics is going from the realm of sci-fi fantasy to mainstream reality. Biometrics holds the potential to do everything from enhance national security to improve marketing displays in stores. It’s a hot field that isn’t going to be replaced anytime soon, meaning there should be plenty of jobs in the biometric field for years to come. Biometric basics According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation , biometrics are biological or behavioral characteristics that can be measured. In other words, biometrics is what allows Facebook to suggest you tag your roommate in that photo on your newsfeed. It also includes voice recognition, optical scans and even the keystroke dynamics of how someone types on the computer. Despite the recent hype around biometrics with the iPhone launch, it is nothing new. The granddaddy of biometrics is fingerprinting, and the FBI has been amassing a collection of fingerprints since 1924. Even the more high tech biometric applications aren’t all that new. Consider that more than 20 years ago, Robert Redford was fumbling to convince a security system “My voice is my passport” as he worked to bypass a biometric system in 1992′s minor cult classic “Sneakers.” What is new is the price. While biometric systems were previously so expensive that their applications […]
Source www.theworkbuzz.com
Namibia Unveils Biometric Machine For Voter Registration
namibia flag December 20, 2013 – Namibia is planning to use a biometric voter registration system for its upcoming election and the country’s electoral commission has just launched the machine it will be using to enroll voters. According to a report in The Namibian , the machines were manufactured in South Africa, and consist of a laptop, fingerprint scanner, camera and signature and barcode scanner. Voter registration starts on January 15 and ends on March 2 next year. Altogether there are 904 machines as well as generators and back-up kits for emergencies. “All systems are ready and in place but it is important to note that the success of any electoral process depends on how the electoral and stakeholders are educated about the process,” Electoral Commission chairperson, Notemba Tjipueja said in The Namibian report. In December, 2012, Ghana held an election using biometric verification devices as the world watched with bated breath. Now, a year after the country’s election, results are still being contested , following much confusion over the status of verification machines during and after the election in Ghana. This isn’t the first time the biometric system used to verify voters has been called into question after-the-fact. Reported previously , Henrique Capriles Radonski, leader of the opposition in Venezuela, has demanded an audit of the entire election including fingerprints stored in the election registry, following his party’s loss by less than 2 percent in the country’s recent presidential elections. Also, following an election in Kenya using biometric verification, […]
Source www.biometricupdate.com
Gotcha! FBI Launches New Biometric Systems To Nail Criminals
Computerworld – Nearly 80 years after it began collecting fingerprints on index cards as a way to identify criminals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is moving to a new system that improves the accuracy and performance of its existing setup while adding more biometrics. By adding palm print, face and iris image search capabilities, the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS) hopes to improve the accuracy of identity searches, make it easier to positively identify and track criminals as they move through the criminal justice system and provide a wider range of tools for crime scene investigators. To take full advantage of all of the new capabilities, however, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies may need to update their own systems to be able to capture the data, forward it to the FBI and search against the nationwide database. "Most booking stations are starting to gather all of the modalities — fingerprints, palm, and face and iris," says Jon Kevin Reid, assistant section chief in the CJIS division. But many regional and local law enforcement systems don’t yet capture all of that information, and will need to upgrade their own systems to reap the benefits from the new system. The current database, the FBI’s Integrated Automated Fingerprint ID System (IAFIS), includes information on 135 million criminals and terrorists, as well as civil servants and other citizens who work in "positions of trust." Since its launch in 2008, the $1.2 billion Next Generation Identification (NGI) project has been […]
Source www.computerworld.com
NFC-Enabled Multi-Function Payment Card Debuts In Sri Lanka
Home / MAIN IMAGE / NFC-enabled multi-function payment card debuts in Sri Lanka Groundbreaking initiative spearheaded by HNB with Visa, Airtel and market leader in NFC-enabled payment card technologies Sony Felica By Shabiya Ali Ahlam Sri Lanka yesterday saw the debut of its first-ever Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled multifunction payment card via a groundbreaking initiative by HNB with Visa, Airtel and two other leading partners. Branded HNB One, and approved by the Central Bank, the product is a Visa Debit Card upgraded to have a prepaid component. As the unique feature makes it a ‘combo’ card, the objective of HNB One is to facilitate speed in transactions. While the debit card feature will function in the regular manner, the NFC-enabled prepaid component will allow transactions to be simple and quick with its ‘tap and go’ functionality. The multiple applications include toll payments in the transport industry, drive-through areas of fast food outlets and fuel stations, to name a few. Aimed at enhancing customer convenience, the solution is powered by Sony Felica, the market leader in NFC-enabled payment card technologies, and Smart Metro, which is providing the NFC-enabled terminals. The solution was unveiled to the media yesterday at a conference attended by HNB Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Alles, Bharti Airtel Lanka CEO Suren Goonewardene and Smart Metro Director Chandana Wijesooriya. In addition to providing access to HNB savings and current accounts, customers can also access their prepaid account with HNB One, where fund transfers can be made between accounts through HNB’s extensive ATM and […]
Source www.ft.lk
Armenia: Only Biometric Passports And ID Cards To Be Issued From January 2014
Karen Ghazaryan Public Radio of Armenia The biometric passports and ID cards were implemented in Armenia on June 1, 2012. The system has proved successful, and the advantage of biometric passports is obvious. Therefore, starting from January 2014 citizens will get only biometric passports and ID cards. The documents will be given for the term of 10 years. According to Norayr Muradkhanyan, Head of the Visa and Passport Department of RA Police, the biometric passports and ID cards are better protected. “Families receiving poverty benefits and 16-year-old citizens will be provided ID cards free of charge,” he said. The old passports will remain in use until their validity term expires, Muradkhanyan said. Biometric passports are necessary for traveling abroad, while ID cards can be used on the territory of the Republic of Armenia. Comments comments
Source www.armradio.am
Gatwick Airport Unveils New Generation Biometric Gates
London Gatwick has officially opened the its new generation of ePassport gates using facial recognition. UK Immigration Minister Mark Harper said ePassport gates have proved popular with travellers. More than 10 million passengers have used them across the UK in the past year with numbers now operating at 1 million a month. London Gatwick now has the largest single bank of ePassport gates at any port in the UK. The latest installation totalled 15 gates , according to supplier Vision-Box, of Portugal. Harper said: "Keeping the UK’s border secure is our priority. At the same time we want to welcome legitimate visitors and trade which contributes to the UK economy. Using the latest technology helps us to do both and is popular with passengers. The e-Passport gates here at London Gatwick Airport provide both a fast and convenient way for tourists, business visitors and Britons returning home to pass through the border securely." The launch was also attended by Stewart Wingate, CEO of Gatwick Airport Ltd. He said: "Gatwick is delighted to be the first airport in the UK to offer this innovative new technology. It will make the journey of arriving passengers with chipped passports much more efficient." ePassport gates first went live in UK airports at Manchester Airport in 2008. This bank of gates replaces the first generation which were opened at London Gatwick South in June 2011. The gates which can be used by anyone with a UK or European ‘chipped’ passport who is aged 18 […]
Source www.planetbiometrics.com
Russian Upper House Approves Law On Biometric Passports With Fingerprints
Russian Federation passport 15:05 18/12/2013 MOSCOW, December 18 (RAPSI) – Russia’s Federation Council on Wednesday approved the law on issuing biometric foreign passports with fingerprints starting January 1, 2015. The law gives the federal executive authorities and their territorial branches, as well as diplomatic and consular missions, the right to collect and process additional biometric information of passport holders. Currently, Russian biometric foreign passports only contain one biometric parameter, a 3D photo. It is planned to collect fingerprints of all Russian nationals aged above 12 years. This information will be stored in the chip embedded in the passport to ensure maximum protection, reads the explanatory note to the bill. The goal is to simplify the authentication of passport data and to prevent, expose and preclude the use of passports for criminal purposes. The law is to become effective in Russia on January 1, 2015 and for diplomatic and consular missions outside Russia, as soon as they are equipped to issue the new passports, but no later than January 1, 2016.
Source rapsinews.com