Biometric passports on hold
2-4-2004
The Ministry of Justice has shelved plans to include computerized chips in the new Danish passports, to be issued on 1 October
The computer chip was to have been used to store passport holders' photographs and fingerprints in electronic form.
The recent terror bombing of four regional commuter trains in Madrid has revived debate at the EU level on passport security. For that reason, the Ministry of Justice will hold off on any major new modifications to the Danish EU passport, and stick with plans to include laser-engraved plastic chips in all passports.
The plastic chip will replace the current page in the wine-coloured passport, containing personal information such as age, name, height, weight, eye colour, and photo. The modification is designed to prevent forgery.
"The Ministry of Justice has decided to wait on the installation of computer chips in Danish passports until the EU decides exactly what information will be stored on them. We are principal supporters of all modifications, as long as they improve security, and as long as our technology is advanced enough to handle the job," said Michael Højer Larsen, director of the Justice Ministry's Transport Office.
Biometric technology of the kind bound for Danish passports was, until a few years ago, purely the stuff of Hollywood fantasy. But after the US terror attacks of 11 September 2001, authorities around the world suddenly realised the security advantages in accurately identifying individuals by voice, fingerprint, electronic photo, or iris scanning. The US recently passed a measure requiring all incoming foreigners after 26 October 2004 to hold biometric passports. Otherwise, visitors will be required to hold a visa in order to enter the country.
"Denmark isn't going to have biometric passports by that time. But the US is strongly considering postponing the cutoff date, because most European countries are going to have a hard time meeting the deadline," said Højer Larsen.
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