Biometric identification system strengthens security at Buenos Aires airports

In an effort to promote a more efficient and secure immigration process, Ezeiza and Aeroparque airports in Buenos Aires, Argentina, have recently replaced its Arrival and Departure Form (TES) with a new biometric identification system that uses fingerprints and facial features to identify travellers.

Martín A. Arias Duval, head of Argentina’s National Migration Office (DNM), said in an article in Infosurhoy, “The main goal is to facilitate and expedite the movement of people”.

Unlike the previous immigration process that requires travellers to fill out TES forms by hand, the newly implemented system allows them to enroll their data through fingerprint scanners and facial identification cameras. The traveller’s biometric data and other necessary information collected will then be stored in a database which will be used to verify their identity when they travel in and out the country.

DNM is confident that the implementation of the biometric system will promote a more secure and accurate verification process for travellers. Given that every person’s biometric data is unique, the system also efficiently prevents fraud and identity thieves from entering the country.

“We’re also seeking to improve the reliability of these records, which used to be kept on paper and now have a digital signature,” Duval said. “Now, the data cannot be altered or lost. It’s all been backed up.”
The biometric system was installed in April this year and has currently registered about five million people.

The biometric identification and verification process is simple. Upon travelling, the passenger places his or her fingers on the fingerprint scanner which will then be verified by the National Registry of Persons (RENAPER), the agency responsible for protecting Argentinean resident’s identity rights. If the passenger’s fingerprints do not match its documents, the system automatically blocks the whole process and alerts the inspector.
According to Duval, the compulsory collection of biometric data in Argentina has already been fully accepted by its residents.

“People are happy because the new process ensures greater reliability, security and speed,” Duval stated. “The only protests came from those who had a problem with the documents because, for one reason or another, they didn’t want people to know who they really were.”

Do you think we will see more implementation of biometrics security at airports in South America?

Article Topics

biometric authentication  |  border control  |  facial recognition  |  fingerprint scanner  |  fingerprints  |  fraud  |  immigration control  |  secure identification