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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Passengers test new face scanners | Passengers test new face scanners |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Facial recognition scanners are being trialled at an airport as part of government efforts to improve security and reduce passenger congestion. | Facial recognition scanners are being trialled at an airport as part of government efforts to improve security and reduce passenger congestion. |
| The system at Manchester Airport can be used by adult biometric passport holders from the UK and Europe. | The system at Manchester Airport can be used by adult biometric passport holders from the UK and Europe. |
| It works by scanning passengers' faces and comparing them to the photographs digitally stored on their passports. | It works by scanning passengers' faces and comparing them to the photographs digitally stored on their passports. |
| The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) voiced concerns that the technology was "untried and untested". | The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) voiced concerns that the technology was "untried and untested". |
| Microchip technology | Microchip technology |
| Facial recognition technology is part of the Home Office's e-Borders programme, which is aimed at transforming the UK's border control to ensure greater security and efficiency. | Facial recognition technology is part of the Home Office's e-Borders programme, which is aimed at transforming the UK's border control to ensure greater security and efficiency. |
| Ministers believe the facial recognition technology will help identify criminals and terrorists trying to enter the UK illegally. | Ministers believe the facial recognition technology will help identify criminals and terrorists trying to enter the UK illegally. |
| They're going live with it before they've been able to recognise any of the difficulties there might be with the system Hugh LanningPublic and Commercial Services Union | They're going live with it before they've been able to recognise any of the difficulties there might be with the system Hugh LanningPublic and Commercial Services Union |
| About 13 million people in the UK have been issued with a biometric passport, which contains a microchip holding biographical information and images. | About 13 million people in the UK have been issued with a biometric passport, which contains a microchip holding biographical information and images. |
| A further 30 million people living in the European Economic Area, which incorporates the EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, have biometric passports. | A further 30 million people living in the European Economic Area, which incorporates the EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, have biometric passports. |
| There are five new gates for the system at Manchester Airport's Terminal One, which deals with about 80,000 passengers a day. | There are five new gates for the system at Manchester Airport's Terminal One, which deals with about 80,000 passengers a day. |
| Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, who officially launched the trial at the airport, said: "The UK has one of the toughest borders in the world and we are determined to ensure it stays that way. | Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, who officially launched the trial at the airport, said: "The UK has one of the toughest borders in the world and we are determined to ensure it stays that way. |
| Guide to biometric technology | Guide to biometric technology |
| "Our hi-tech electronic borders system will allow us to count all foreign nationals in and out of the UK, while checking them against watch-lists." | "Our hi-tech electronic borders system will allow us to count all foreign nationals in and out of the UK, while checking them against watch-lists." |
| She added: "These checks make up just one part of Britain's triple ring of security, alongside fingerprint visas for three-quarters of the world's population, and the roll-out of ID cards for foreign nationals, locking people to one identity." | She added: "These checks make up just one part of Britain's triple ring of security, alongside fingerprint visas for three-quarters of the world's population, and the roll-out of ID cards for foreign nationals, locking people to one identity." |
| Passengers at Manchester Airport with biometric passports can pass through unmanned gates and avoid queues, although they do not have to use the system. | Passengers at Manchester Airport with biometric passports can pass through unmanned gates and avoid queues, although they do not have to use the system. |
| A scanner checks their passport has not been tampered with and that they are not on any security lists. | A scanner checks their passport has not been tampered with and that they are not on any security lists. |
| They are then allowed through to the next gate, where a facial recognition scanner reads their face. | They are then allowed through to the next gate, where a facial recognition scanner reads their face. |
| Rejected passengers are redirected to immigration officers for further checks. | Rejected passengers are redirected to immigration officers for further checks. |
| System extended | System extended |
| PCS deputy general-secretary Hugh Lanning said: "This is untried, untested technology and they're going live with it before they've been able to recognise any of the difficulties there might be with the system. | PCS deputy general-secretary Hugh Lanning said: "This is untried, untested technology and they're going live with it before they've been able to recognise any of the difficulties there might be with the system. |
| "People are being allowed through on the basis of this technology. It means that 95% of people won't be checked in any way, other than by the machine." | "People are being allowed through on the basis of this technology. It means that 95% of people won't be checked in any way, other than by the machine." |
| Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Tom Brake said ministers must ensure the technology was "foolproof". | Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Tom Brake said ministers must ensure the technology was "foolproof". |
| "Following the Heathrow Terminal 5 embarrassment, the last thing this country needs is another major transport hub grinding to a halt," he said. | "Following the Heathrow Terminal 5 embarrassment, the last thing this country needs is another major transport hub grinding to a halt," he said. |
| The system will be introduced at Stansted in September, and if the trials are successful it will be extended to all major UK airports. | The system will be introduced at Stansted in September, and if the trials are successful it will be extended to all major UK airports. |
| All new UK passports have been biometric for the past two years and the Home Office estimates about seven million people will receive one every year. | All new UK passports have been biometric for the past two years and the Home Office estimates about seven million people will receive one every year. |