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Following is a question by the Hon Patrick Lau and a reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, in the Legislative Council today (December 14):
Question:
The Smart Identity Card (ID Card) readers currently used by the Immigration Department verify the identity of ID Card holders by matching their fingerprints with the fingerprint data stored in their ID Cards. It is learnt that this identity verification method is not applicable to some members of the public, thus precluding them from using the Automated Passenger Clearance System (commonly known as "e-Channel") to complete immigration clearance procedure. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the number of Smart ID Card holders whose identity cannot be verified by the said readers and its percentage in the total number of Smart ID Card holders, together with a breakdown by their gender and age profile;
(b) as the authorities had commissioned a consultant to conduct a feasibility study before implementing the Hong Kong Smart ID Card Replacement Exercise, whether the above problem had been identified in the feasibility study; if so, of the reasons for the authorities making the decision to choose fingerprints as the biometric data to be stored in Smart ID Cards; if not, whether the Government may claim compensation from the consultant; and
(c) of the causes of the above problem, and whether such problem can be resolved by way of technology enhancement; if so, of the costs involved; if not, whether it has, by making reference to the relevant practices adopted overseas, made any efforts to explore other methods to resolve the problem?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) From June 2003 to November 2005, the Immigration Department (ImmD) issued over 4.3 million Smart Identity (ID) Cards. The vast majority of people could provide two clear fingerprints when applying for a Smart ID Card. So far, about 350 persons, or eight out of 100,000 Smart ID Card holders, could not provide at least one clear fingerprint. They will not be able to use e-Channels for self-service immigration clearance since the chip of their Smart ID Card does not contain any fingerprint data. ImmD does not keep statistics on the gender and age profile of these persons.
(b) The question raises the issue of why fingerprint recognition technology has been adopted for the Smart ID Card System. At the feasibility study stage of the Smart ID Card Project, different types of biometrics, such as facial image, fingerprint, palm print, iris data, voice and signature, were examined by a consultant to see if they could be used to verify the identity of a person. In view of the high level of accuracy and reliability of fingerprint recognition technology and its wide application, the consultant recommended that this technology be adopted after detailed analysis and consideration. Taking into account that some individuals may not be able to provide their thumbprints for various reasons, we have provided flexibility in the application procedures so that applicants may provide fingerprints of any two fingers if they cannot provide their left and right thumbprints.
(c) Some Smart ID Card holders cannot use e-Channels for immigration clearance mainly because they are not able to provide clear fingerprints. It is difficult to resolve this problem simply by way of technology enhancement. But the people concerned can continue to take advantage of traditional counters for immigration clearance. By the large, fingerprint recognition technology has enabled the overwhelming majority of Smart ID Card holders to successfully use e-Channels.
Ends/Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Issued at HKT 12:45
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