Authorities to Start Collecting Eyeball Images From S’poreans and Here’s Why

Pretty soon, you won’t need to place your thumb on the oily scanner and pray that it doesn’t beep on you. Instead, all you have to do is to bend down and look at a scanner in the eye and let it scan your eyeball.

Sounds like Mission Impossible? Iris scan is going to be the next big thing for Singapore and the authorities are looking to start collecting your eyeball image from 1 Jan 2017 onward.

Here’s what you need to know

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The Problem with Thumbprint Verification

Thumbprint verification at the checkpoint has helped to speed up the time require for Singaporeans to clear the customs but it’s not good enough. 

Thumbprints wear off as you grow older and you might be made to queue up at manned counters even if you hold a biometric passport. 

And that’s where the iris scan, which will cut down drastically on overall waiting time in the queue, comes into play.

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Iris Scanning to be Added Progressively to Checkpoints

In a statement released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), iris scans will be added progressively to the land and sea checkpoints within the next two years. 

This change will allow the ICA to be more effective and efficient in its duties. 

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Iris Scanning Technology

In order for iris scanning to work, there are two stages: the enrolment stage where our irises are photographed and entered into a database and the detection/recognition stage which will verify our identities through the database.

From 1 Jan 2017, iris images will be obtained from Singaporeans and PRs when you go for NRIC registration or re-registration, application or renewal of your passport. 

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SingPost Outlets to be able to Collect Iris Images as well

In a statement by MHA on 28 Dec 2016, selected SingPost staff at 27 outlets will also be trained to capture iris images during NRIC registration or re-registration. 

The outlets are as follows: 

• Ang Mo Kio Central
• Bedok Central, Bishan
• Bukit Batok Central
• Bukit Merah Central
• Bukit Panjang
• Bukit Timah
• Choa Chu Kang Central
• Clementi Central
• Ghim Moh Estate
• Hougang Central
• Jurong East
• Jurong Point
• Jurong West
• Marine Parade
• Orchard
• Pasir Ris Central
• Paya Lebar
• Sengkang Central
• Serangoon Central
• Suntec City PO
• Tampines Central
• Tanglin
• Tanjong Pagar
• Toa Payoh Central
• Woodlands Central
• Yishun Central

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Now you feel like singing the Mission Impossible theme song everytime you cross custom.

Featured Image: straitstimes.com

This article was first published on goodyfeed.com