Macau to collect biometric data from all visitors to fight identity fraud

All visitors to Macau will likely soon be required to provide biometric data to city authorities on entrance, GGRAsia reports, with a draft bill set to be tabled in the legislature.

The collection of biometric information from tourists, who make up the majority of gamblers at Macau casinos, brings the city into closer alignment with common international practices, the government says.

A new draft law bill on immigration, stay and residency matters includes the new requirement, along with an obligation for city hotels to provide guest check-in and check-out information for non-local guests to immigration authorities within 24 hours.

The bill also includes measures for harsher penalties for those caught entering or remaining in Macau illegally, and a precautionary power of retaining visitors’ travel documents. The government says the bill replaces two existing laws on immigration and residency, and two by-laws.

To come into force, the bill will still have to be approved by Macau’s Legislative Assembly.

Macau authorities said last October that they planned to complete an expanded round of testing of its public facial recognition system on about 150 cameras by the end of 2020.

Article Topics

biometric data  |  biometrics  |  data collection  |  fraud prevention  |  identity verification  |  Macau  |  travel and tourism