UK issues first controversial biometric passports
Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
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London (UK):
The Home Office announced Monday that the first British biometric passports, with such security features as a chip holding the carrier's facial details, will be issued this week.
"Not only will they improve the integrity and security of British passports, they will also help in the detection of forged or manipulated documents while confirming the identity of the individual," Home Office Minister Andy Burnham said.
The issuing of so-called e-passports, designed to combat fraud and forgery, have been linked with controversial plans for the introduction of identity cards amid concern about the cost and over-dependence on technology that has yet to prove reliable.
But Burnham insisted that the gradual introduction of biometrics would improve the "integrity and security" of British passports and help in the detection of manipulated documents while confirming the identity of the individual.
Mar 07, 2006
Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
_________________________
London (UK):
The Home Office announced Monday that the first British biometric passports, with such security features as a chip holding the carrier's facial details, will be issued this week.
"Not only will they improve the integrity and security of British passports, they will also help in the detection of forged or manipulated documents while confirming the identity of the individual," Home Office Minister Andy Burnham said.
The issuing of so-called e-passports, designed to combat fraud and forgery, have been linked with controversial plans for the introduction of identity cards amid concern about the cost and over-dependence on technology that has yet to prove reliable.
But Burnham insisted that the gradual introduction of biometrics would improve the "integrity and security" of British passports and help in the detection of manipulated documents while confirming the identity of the individual.
Mar 07, 2006
