Access control

U.K. Border Agency reinstates DNA tests, sort of
Africans who want to immigrate to the U.K. found a relatively easy way to do so: they seek political asylum, saying they come from war-ravaged countries; the U.K. Border Agency wanted to make sure, by checking their DNA, that they come from the war-ravaged countries they claim to come from; scientists criticized the scheme as “naive” and “scientifically flawed,” so the UKBA suspended it — only to reinstate it the next day, partially
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Biometric security for London 2012 Olympic Games already in place
The U.K. government’s security preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games start early: Laborers on the site of the Olympic village are subject to rigorous biometric checks; the metropolitan police hints that as we get closer to the games, local residents may be subject to similar measures
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House members urge TSA not to destroy Registered Traveler data
A month ago Verified Identity Pass Inc., by far the largest operator of Registered Traveler, abruptly ceased operations; TSA plans to destroy personal data from enrollees
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Honolulu airport gets faster screening
Honolulu airport is one of thirteen U.S. airports that will use a new screening process beginning 24 August; the Global Entry pilot program, intended to streamline the customs and security process for “trusted” air travelers
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Clarifying U.S. exit requirements for non-U.S. travelers
From 28 May to 2 July 2009, DHS conducted a test of biometric exit procedures at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport; the procedures tested during the trial will be deployed in 2010; until then, all international visitors should do is return their paper Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record) or Form I-94W to an airline or ship representative
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Australian, Kiwi passengers to use electronic passport control
New electronic passport control for Australians and New Zealanders will allow bypassing queues for baggage screening from the end of this year
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Ditching U.K. ID cards would save £3 billion
The general election in Britain must be held by June 2010; if the Tories win, and if they stick to their promises to cancel the ID card scheme, they will save the U.K. economy over £3 billion
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Chinese women face ID problem after cosmetic surgery trip
A group of Chinese women traveled to South Korea for plastic surgery; when they came back, their new looks did not match their passport photos, causing confusion for airport officers
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TSA approves biometric security for flight crews
The Transportation Security Administration launches a pilot program that accelerates flight crew security screening in airports
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New tattoo identification biometrics for law enforcement
Law enforcement still relies mainly on soft biometrics — such as height, weight, ethnicity, and identifying marks — to identify suspects; researchers offer law enforcement a better way of identifying tattoos
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Biometric use in Australia grows
National Australia Bank is now using voice biometrics to authenticate its customers; the bank joins a lengthening list of Aussie businesses relying on biometric technology for quicker and more accurate identification of customers
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TSA clarifies fingerprinting requirements
TSA makes clear that only non-U.S. citizens will have to give fingerprints upon leaving the United States — and for now, only for a pilot project at Atlanta and Detroit airports
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Congress requires competition for for aviation security services
Despite heavy lobbying by airport managers, Congress insists that TSA must hold open and full competition for security background screening services for aviation workers
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Biometric technologies improve, offering greater reliability
Biometrics is not perfect — but it is improving; biometrics is developing along two lines — physical, which is often more intrusive for the user, and behavioral, which is usually less intrusive; Fujitsu’s Jerry Byrnes: “What was James Bond 15 years ago is biometric reality today”
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Smarter Security Systems shows vascular reader
Austin, Texas-based company shows its new vascular patterns reader; low false acceptance rate (FAR) of 0.0001 percent, quickness (0.4/seconds per person), the ability to performs with skin conditions such as scars or dirt and any lighting conditions makes it ideal for industrial applications
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