Why are physical passports necessary in 2020? Why isn’t there an optional system in place which uses fingerprints?
In: Technology
Hong Kong does have an internal system that all but eliminates use of passports. Each HK permanent resident has an id card and their fingerprints are on file. When they go through immigration at the airport, there is an automated system where they put their id card in a slot, place their thumb on a fingerprint scanner, and leave. The whole process takes about one minute, which is one reason that the HK airport is so efficient. However, for all the other reasons listed in this thread, this system only works for entering Hong Kong, not entering other countries as a person from Hong Kong, and still requires id in addition to fingerprints.
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