Strikes highlight benefits of ePassports

November 28, 2011 admin biometric passport, border control, epassport, security, strikes

Wednesdays walk out by workers guarding the UK’s borders highlights a benefit of owning a new biometric ePassport.

The passports contain a small chip that can be read by automatic border gates. A camera at the gates takes images of the passport holder, and analyses their face to match it to the passport photo. If the match is confirmed, the gates open and the passport holder can enter the UK.

These automatic gates reduce the amount of border staff required, as several gates can operate with just one member of staff nearby to assist.

You can find out more about ePassports here – http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Foreigntravel/AirTravel/DG_198925