Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Whether ICA Has Encountered or Tracked Cases of Seniors Facing Issues with Biometric Clearance at Immigration Checkpoints

Question:

Miss Rachel Ong: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether ICA has encountered and tracked incidences of seniors facing issues utilising biometric measures at immigration checkpoints due to eye disorders or physical fading of fingerprints; and (b) if so, what measures are in place to support seniors as Singapore moves towards a passport-free biometric clearance at Changi Airport next year.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law:

1. ICA does not collect data of travellers who have issues with their biometrics during immigration clearance.

2. Since 2020, ICA has implemented the Multi-Modal Biometrics System (MMBS). With MMBS, facial and iris images have replaced fingerprints as the main biometrics to identify travellers during immigration clearance. This addresses difficulties faced by some travellers, especially the elderly, who have aged, scarred or dry fingerprints.

3. Conversely, for those who encounter difficulties with their facial and iris biometrics, they will be prompted to use their fingerprints instead.

4. In the rare instances where all three biometrics fail, the traveller can approach ICA’s manual counters. ICA officers are also at hand at automated lanes to render assistance if required.