Austrian Interior Minister Gunther Platter and Justice Minister Maria Berger presented Wednesday the implementation of fingerprints-passports to the Council of Ministers in Vienna.
According to a press release of the Austrian Interior Ministry, the new passports would include fingerprints of one person's both index fingers and the use of the new passports would take effect from June 2009.
All data of the passport holder, including photo, signature, name, birthday, nationality, period of validity, passport number as well as fingerprints would be saved in a chip card, which will be attached to the new passport.
The personal fingerprints, which are first saved in the National Stationery Office, would be deleted four months after the new passports are issued. "Data protection and personal rights are both important," Platter said.
He also noted that a test use of the new passports would be carried out in some districts and cities of Austria, in order to ensure "preparation for the ideal changes."
So far only Germany has put the use of this sort of new passport into practice since November last year. Switzerland has also passed the implementation of fingerprints-passports.
According to EU regulations, all Schengen member states should issue fingerprints-passports before March 2010.
Source:Xinhua
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