Singapore collects iris images of citizens

Singapore's immigration authority will collect iris images of citizens and long-term residents as a method of personal identification.

Starting January 1, 2017, Singapore will require iris scans as part of the registration process for citizens and long-term residents.

This is part of efforts to improve the effectiveness of citizen control operations by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), according to a statement from the country's Ministry of Home Affairs.

ICA will start collecting iris images as an additional means of personal identification, in addition to photos and fingerprints. In the future, Singapore will also re-register its citizens’ identity cards and passports, adding iris images.

Singapore has been collecting iris images of its citizens since January 1, 2017. Photo: Business Insider.

To facilitate iris image collection, SingPost staff will be selected to serve as collectors at SingPost offices.

Singapore's Home Affairs Minister Desmond Lee said technological advances allowed them to collect more personal identification methods. Calling iris recognition an established technology, Lee pointed out that countries like Germany and the Netherlands have been using it since the early 2000s.

“Collecting and verifying an iris image is similar to taking a photograph. It is convenient, non-invasive, and does not require direct contact with the citizen, and can be completed in just a few seconds.”

He added that iris recognition technology could help enhance citizen identification methods as fingerprints can change as people age.

According to Mr. Lee, poor fingerprint quality is the reason why some tourists have difficulty passing through immigration control gates.

"The use of iris imaging can mitigate such problems," he said, adding that he believes adding a method of identifying citizens will help strengthen Singapore's security.

According to ZING