Australian travel to be eased via biometrics
20 August, 2009
category: Biometrics, Corporate, Government
A new program developed by Australia and New Zealand’s governments for travelers between the two countries will allow citizens with electronic passports to bypass baggage screening lines, according to a Stuff.co.nz article.
A user of the program must simply scan their biometric chip embedded in their electronic passport at security kiosks and they will be cleared for passing through immigration control.
One of the reasons both countries are getting behind this is that New Zealand had been looking for a way to ease the issue with the rising number of travelers there and their requirement of all traveler’s luggage be scanned upon entry to the country. In an additional interest to not lower security standards, however, New Zealand has doubled fines for bringing in banned substances and items.
Read the full story here.