Singapore has included iris data as part of a national registration bill introduced for first reading in parliament this week.The current Bill seeks to amend the NRA to enable the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of its operations.The proposed amendments will allow ICA to collect iris images from Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents as an additional identifier, to strengthen identity verification methods.The ICA currently collects photographs and fingerprints as personal identifiers. These are collected during the National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) registration and re-registration exercises. Besides these personal identifiersMHA said that the iris scan is a proven technology. “The collection and identification of iris images are convenient, contactless and non-intrusive,” said MHA.Adding: “The use of iris scan technology will augment current identity verification methods using photographs and fingerprints. For example, with multi-modal biometrics, ICA can enhance the accuracy of the identification process for more effective and efficient clearance at our checkpoints.”
Singapore to include iris scans in national ID register
