Heathrow Airport Fingerprint Security Checks Investigation
The plans to fingerprint passengers using Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 are being investigated by the UK's data protection watchdog.
Announced two weeks ago, the security checks at the airport's flagship new Terminal - which begins operations this week - involve domestic passengers providing fingerprints and a photograph.
Passengers using T5 will have four fingerprints taken at check-in, where they will also provide a photograph. When passengers go airside, fingerprints will be taken again and the photograph taken at check-in compared with their face.
However, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has said that Heathrow's operator, the British Airports Authority (BAA), may be breaking the Data Protection Act with these security checks.
They say they are not satisfied about BAA's case for having to take the biometric information from passengers, and they have now launched an investigation to see whether BAA "took account of the data protection implications of its proposal".
Heathrow Terminal 5 Biometric Security Plans Could Face Legal Action
David Smith, the Deputy Information Commissioner, said: "We want to know why Heathrow needs to fingerprint passengers at all...so far, we have not heard BAA's case for requesting fingerprints".
BAA say the security checks are necessary because of Terminal 5's design where domestic and international passengers mingle in the same departure lounge. It says the checks will prevent potential terrorists, criminals or illegal immigrants from exchanging idenities in the departure lounge and being able to enter the UK without being checked by customs and immigration officials.
The company added that the data collected would be destroyed within 24 hours, and would not be passed on to any external agencies or "cross-referenced with any other database".
But the ICO is not satisfied with this explanation, hence the launch of the investigation.
An ICO spokesman added: "Our concern is with the surveillance society. Is this another step on the road towards that kind of society? Why do they need fingerprints, and why four? Why are other airports able to operate with just photographs, and is this a proportionate response?"
Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the security plans could face legal action.
And Mr Smith warned: "If we find there is a breach of data protection legislation, we would hope to persuade them to put things right. If that is not successful we can issue an enforcement notice. If they don't comply, it is a criminal offence and they can be prosecuted".
BAA said that its priority at T5 was to provide "secure" and "reliable" border controls, and that the biometric information would be the best way to achieve this.
The company said the investigation would not delay the start of operations at T5 on Thursday 27th March. The £4.3 billion gateway was formally opened by HM The Queen earlier this month.
Source - Airport International's London Reporter
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