Switzerland votes for biometric passports
19 May, 2009
category: Biometrics, Contactless, Government
Switzerland’s voters have said the country can move forward with the creation of passports containing biometric information enabling the country to stay on the United States’ visa waiver program, according to news reports. Additionally, Switzerland’s recent joining of Europe’s control-free travel zone also requires an upgrade to biometric capabilities.
The legislation, however, was not without its opponents as it passed with a .2% margin in the vote. The vote itself became a reality when a number of Swiss politicians collected enough signatures to force the vote citing worries over the protection of data and the program being an invasion of a citizen’s right to privacy. According to the requirements behind control-free travel zone, Switzerland has until 2010 to comply with the biometrics system requirements.
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