British National Fingerprint Database begins without parliamentary consultation

[decadnids]

http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/British_National_Fingerprint_D atabase_begins_without_parliam entary_consultation


Starting in 2006, HM passport service of Britain will begin use of biometric chips in the issuance of passports. Essential to this scheme is the creation of a central database for passport holders that contains fingerprint and biometric data. This database, along with fingerprinting facilities, will be shared by the controversial Identity Card scheme.

The UK Passport Service is a royal prerogative, meaning the proposals do not require parliamentary approval. Critics say this is an attempt by the government to introduce key elements of the Identity Card scheme by stealth, without approval, appearing to reduce the cost and novel controversiality of the scheme.


views comments?

[JE:5]

My view? I've got 2 years left on my current passport to leave the country.

[decadnids]

i just renewed mine so i got 10 years yay.

[FiST]

Originally posted by decadnids
i just renewed mine so i got 10 years yay.

likewise. plus i think the new ones will cost even more.

[Lighter Thief]

Awww c'mon folks. They've got our best interests at heart. It's just to stop all those bad people with beards from coming here and blowing us up. If you're against the ID card scheme then you must be mates with Osama.

[decadnids]

actually, when i came back from japan the customs in the uk - was well slack - all i had to do was briefly show my passport to some women, and then stroll through the "nothing to declare" - where there was some bloke looking very bored.

[Phil]

confused beak

http://www.kidsera.com/images/0123b.jpg

[Hagbard]

US customs have my fingerprints and photo. wankers.

[M H]

Originally posted by decadnids
actually, when i came back from japan the customs in the uk - was well slack - all i had to do was briefly show my passport to some women, and then stroll through the "nothing to declare" - where there was some bloke looking very bored.
I think they have a staff shortages at passport control, when I come back they always scan my passport thru the scanner thing on the german side and give it a good look, whereas one time I was coming thru Luton a few months ago, and they were telling people to "Keep moving" with everyone just holding their passport open on the photopage... add to that there is NO passport control leaving the UK, only on the way back in but then again, I flew from Berlin to Brussels for a gig 2 weeks ago and as it was all euro zone there was no passport control whatsoever, it was like a domestic flight...

[Paddy]

well, i've got to renew mine this year too, so ten years for me. unless the bastards say that i have to renew it again next year when they bring in all this biometric pish.

[Hagbard]

3 days before 9/11 I walked off a plane at Gatwick and due to a mix up they led us straight into the main arrivals foyer without going through passport checks, customs or anything... it felt pretty fucking slack at the time... 3 days later it felt a little more than that...

[Lady E]

this country needs a written constitution and a bill of rights and fast.

[Yer_Maw]

People who spit at public transport workers watch out!

[Lighter Thief]

I can't help it. I get excited when I board buses.

[seawolf]

i heard that from the end of this year people from 'visa waiver' countries like the UK will need to have biometric data on their passports to get into the US...

anyone know anything about this??

[kams]

Originally posted by nik-nak
well, i've got to renew mine this year too, so ten years for me. unless the bastards say that i have to renew it again next year when they bring in all this biometric pish.

me too - mine expires next jan

[Tec]

Originally posted by JE:5
My view? I've got 2 years left on my current passport to leave the country.

Good way round this..lose it..

for 40 quid, its a small price to pay for extended freedom.

Thats what i'm gonna do.

..and i'll have two passports. I could selll the old one.

Jackyl acid style.

[May Kasahara]

Originally posted by Steev
3 days before 9/11 I walked off a plane at Gatwick and due to a mix up they led us straight into the main arrivals foyer without going through passport checks, customs or anything... it felt pretty fucking slack at the time... 3 days later it felt a little more than that...

Several years ago, whilst in the queue for the metal detector at JFK, watching my boyfriend being told to walk through by one guard and then told to go back and wait his turn by the other (it was his turn), I saw a guy with a large hold-all get fed up of waiting and just walk around the side of the metal detector and off towards his boarding gate, unchallenged by the many armed guards dotted about.

I'm not down with the storing of biometric data like this - it's pretty suspect that the process conveniently avoids the need for public debate. Sadly my passport runs out next year, meaning the bastards will have my fingerprints at last. I'd better start hiding the loot.