The UK Passport Service (UKPS) has reminded applicants of the need to ensure their passport photos meet the demands of facial recognition technology.
It sent out a reminder on 5 September 2005 of requirements orginally announced in August 2004. These were drawn up in line with specifications of the International Civil Aviation Organisation and will come into force on 12 September, in advance of ePassports early next year. A UKPS spokesperson told Government Computing News that this date was the earliest opportunity to enforce the new photo requirements after the busy holiday period. It preferred to introduce the new technology at a quieter time to cut down on the number of incorrect applications.
"This time will have less of an impact on UK Passport Service business - it's easier to manage after the holiday period," the spokesperson said.
The government expects the production of more secure biometric ePassports coupled with facial recognition technology to reduce passport fraud and improve international border control checks.
Under the guidelines, two recent identical photos must be printed on normal photographic paper measuring 45mm x 33mm with the applicant's head representing 65-75% of a photo on an off-white, cream or light grey background. The applicant should be the only person in the shot, while the image must show his or her full face looking straight at the camera with a neutral expression and a closed mouth.
Home Office minister Andy Burnham said: "Passport photos are already playing a more important role in our ongoing fight against fraud. In addition to developing new biometric passports, since 2004 we have been piloting the use of facial recognition technology to detect fraudulent applications.
"Even at this early stage, facial biometrics are proving to be an effective tool for the Passport Service Fraud and Intelligence Units to detect attempted passport and identity fraud."
Bernard Herdan, chief executive of the UKPS, said: "In the face of the growing threat of forgery and identity theft, countries all around the world are tightening the security of their passports to the internationally agreed standards. From the beginning of next year the UK Passport Service will be introducing ePassports, which will contain a chip storing a facial image biometric obtained by scanning the passport applicant's photo.
"In order to ensure that this can be done, passport photos need to meet the requirements set out in the photo guidelines leaflet. The standards will also allow passports to be read by border control equipment, so that automated controls at international borders are faster but more secure.
"The UKPS is also introducing the latest facial recognition technology into its passport processes to strengthen measures to prevent identity fraud."
Existing passport holders will only need to comply with the new guidelines when the time comes to renew or replace their passports.
Quelle: KableNET, 05.09.2005
