The increasing threat of identity fraud means we must strengthen security features in passports. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO - which sets international standards) chose facial recognition as the primary biometric with iris and fingerprint as backup (but not compulsory). The use of biometric information to link a person to a passport can help to counter identity fraud. In practice, biometric verification can be used at border controls and to verify the image on a passport renewal application against images held on record.
Biometric information is also used for the following purposes:
Facial recognition maps various features on the face, for example, the distances between eyes, nose, mouth and ears. The measurements are digitally coded and this can then be used for comparison and verification purposes. Biometric technology is perfectly safe as facial biometrics can be taken from a good quality passport photo. You can download a pdf of IPS passport photo standards here (1.6MB, new window)
24-hour Passport Adviceline: 0300 222 0000 (see terms and conditions). Calls made to 0300 numbers from landlines and mobile phones are charged to customers at their network provider's national rate. Live operators are available to assist with your enquiry 24 hours a day.
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