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Use of iris images provides glimmer of hope for frequent travellers

The report “MHA tables Bill to collect iris images from S’poreans, PRs” (Oct 11) brings a glimmer of hope to frequent travellers, such those who, like me, travel to Malaysia every week.

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Heng Cho Choon

The report “MHA tables Bill to collect iris images from S’poreans, PRs” (Oct 11) brings a glimmer of hope to frequent travellers, such those who, like me, travel to Malaysia every week.

Iris scans are available even on smart phones, to protect users’ privacy in case they lose their phones.

The technology is simple. A camera is held about 25cm away from the eye, and when it takes a picture, the computer locates and analyses the patterns in the iris and translates them into a code.

Iris scans are more accurate than the thumbprint. It is protected, but still visible, and it does not usually change over time, making it ideal for biometric identification.

Even after eye surgery, a person’s eye remains unchanged, and blind people can use iris scanners as long as they have irises.

Moreover, eyeglasses and contact lenses typically do not interfere with the readings.

Last week, it took me one hour to clear the customs checkpoint at Woodlands. After I had scanned my passport, the machines failed to read my thumbprint despite my trying five different machines.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA) officer then insisted that I join the long, snaking queue at the manned counter for clearance. The wait was long and the weather was hot, and babies in their mothers’ arms were crying and screaming.

I hope the ICA will introduce the iris scan soon, to cut down the waiting time for travellers and improve productivity in the long run.

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