Passengers at British airports to be fingerprinted

[Gromit]

"The Home Office's Border and Immigration Agency has confirmed that it is considering forcing airport operators to introduce the measures to increase security.

BAA, which operates seven UK airports, is keen to see the arrangement extended as it allows all passengers access to airside shopping malls, including its own chain of World Duty Free stores.

The Home Office says since 2004, visitors to America have been fingerprint-scanned and digitally photographed on arrival.

The proposed amendments will require fingerprints to be taken when passengers pass through security into the airside terminal.

Each passenger would place a hand on a scanner, which records four fingerprints, then would face a camera and be photographed."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/pol itics/lawandorder/2463357/Passengers-at-Britis h-airports-to-be-fingerprinted.html

Isn't it reassuring that we will be fighting terrorism and able do do duty free shopping. Such freedoms are worth fighting for.

[youngmafbog]

The Nanny state turns more to the Police state.

No doubt finger prints and mugshot will be stored on the big PNC database along with all those falsey arrested and never charged.

Hey, vote labour for yoru freedom.!

[tiggerblue10]

I work for the BIA and we have already introduced Biometric testing.

[DungeonJayne]

They can fingerprint and photograph me all they like.

And they can store them wherever they want.

As long as they catch anyone who's planning to blow me out of the sky.







thinks: If In_A_Pickle is ever in charge of airside security, I'm gonna start taking the boat!

[keyplus90]

They can take print from any part of my body let alone fingers. I have nothing to hide. The only problem is that where would they store all this information. They can not even look after their laptops properly.

[Quinlad]

It would be fairly cheap and painless for the government to insert microchips under our skin.

It can be used to identify us, track our movements and see who is consorting with who.

If you've got nothing to hide and it helps them to catch anyone who's planning to blow us out of the sky, what's the problem?

[New Judge]

The problem is, Quinlad that it is extremely unlikely to stop anybody determined enough to commit an atrocity from doing so. In the meantime all those �with nothing to hide� will be routinely inconvenienced and have their privacy invaded for little or no benefit.

It is part of the ever-creeping invasion into people�s lives which is advancing bit by bit in the UK. Each step is small; those with �nothing to hide� need not fear; records will be kept securely (!). The list of reassurances is as endless as it is meaningless.

It is only when you return from abroad that you realise just how insidious and unpleasant officialdom in the UK has become. As soon as you disembark in the UK it starts: �do not stand here�; �don�t do this�; �do that�; �those not doing that face an unlimited fine or five years in prison or both�; �face the front when speaking to the immigration officer�; don�t leave your bags here� and so it goes on. Each one of these suggestions is innocuous enough by itself but taken together (along with all the things you face when you finally get home which I won�t even begin to go in to) and the level of oppression is alarming.

Most other countries seem able to manage without this level of oppression. They also seem able to empty the population�s dustbins regularly without criminalising half the population for using the wrong coloured bags.

Back to the point, this latest proposal faces an uphill struggle because I seem to recall an earlier proposal to carry out fingerprinting when T5 opened was outlawed by the Infofrmation Commissioner.

[BillySugger]

I don't know what's more scary , the idea that 1984 is almost here or Quinlads comment about microchips . Not sure if it's serious or tongue in chip but I think maybe you should watch this http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/statement.htm if you haven't already . In fact I think everyone should watch it .

[rov1200]

It worries me that even after all these measures that have been already introduced the illegal immigrants still find a way of entering the country. Something drastic is needed to stop it. Cenuses are never filled in correctly. Many cannot speak English under interrogation. They cannot throw them out. What is the answer?

[Quinlad]

Crikey, I need to turn my sarcasm warning system up another few notches.

[jake-the-peg]

Incidious officialdom from immigration officers in the UK.

New Judge I can only assume that you have never been to the US!

[bubbles4920]

they do this in the usa, think its a great idea. you are questioned why you are visiting and sometimes have to explain yourself for 20minutes. they dont just let anyone in and now ive come in several times i assume my fingerprints/pics tally with previous times. this surely prevents the 'sharing' and forging of passports/visas too. we are too soft in the uk and let anyone in. also forget the asylum thing, they would never have that in the states!

[New Judge]

You may well be right, jake.

Whether they treat US citizens in the same manner as our officials treat UK citizens when they arrive home I wouldn't know. However, I doubt the equivalent of their local councils give their people criminal records for leaving their trash can lids open by half an inch.

[Oneeyedvic]

also forget the asylum thing, they would never have that in the states!

Best comment all year on AB

[Oneeyedvic]

In apickle 1984 has been here for a while.

Have you actually read 1984?

Presumably not as life in Britain is not even remotely similar to the Dystopia that Orwell wrote about.

[DungeonJayne]

I've changed my mind on this. I now think that fingerprinting does infringe on our liberties.

I wish to be free to enter airports without being inconvenienced.

And to drive my car as fast as I like, anywhere I like.

And to help myself to clothes in shops if I can't afford them.

And to have people duffed up if they annoy me.

And to travel on trains without having to fund the rich rail companies by buying a ticket.

Freedom for all. That's what I say.

[Oneeyedvic]

several of the Dystopian totaliterian theories that Orwell projected are coming to fruitition. </I.

which ones are those then?