New security tested at U.S. border crossings
The Privacy Place researchers have participated in a Transnational Digital Government project, which focuses on developing a prototype system for remote border control. Recently, I read an article that says new security technologies, which call for fingerprinting, photographing and running checks on suspicious visitors, are being tested at U.S. border crossings. Digital fingerscans and photos are matched with databases to determine if visitors might be wanted for immigration problems and crimes or are on lists barring them from entering the country because of suspected terrorist ties. The information will be stored indefinitely in a national database, but Homeland Security officials promised its use would be restricted to ensure privacy. By the end of 2005, the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology program, or US-VISIT, is scheduled to be used at all 165 land border crossings.