Face Scans To Trial In Airports This Summer – UK

Airline passengers will be screened using automated facial recognition technology rather than being checked by passport officers in an attempt to improve security in British airports.

Unmanned security clearance gates will be trialled in airports from this summer, where scans will match a person’s face to the record held on computer chip in their biometric passports.

Face scanning to be trialled in airports
A passenger is checked in a bodyscan at Schiphol airport, Amsterdam

Border security officials believe the scanning technology could be more effective at preventing identity fraud than humans.

Gary Murphy, the head of operational design and development for the UK Border Agency, said: “We are planning a trial of facial recognition gates to see if they deliver our requirements.

“We think a machine can do a better job.”

However he admitted the move was likely to cause concern among employees: “There are also internal staff issues.

“Will they see it as a threat to their jobs or an opportunity for more interesting work?

“We want to divert their work to areas where their skills can best be used.”

Home Office minister Liam Byrne confirmed the plans last night, and added: “We will test them this year and if they work put them at all key ports and airports.”

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