Look, the data that will be held on computers in respect of ID cards is the data that is already held by everybody for everybody in respect of your passport, with the addition of biometric data, fingerprints for example or irises which ensures better the security of this data.

BBC: Jack Straw MP. photo courtesy Jeff Overs

The data reveals that the number of foreign passport-holders resident in Germany had been overestimated.

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Much of the cost of collecting biometric and personal data has already been shifted to the passport service, on the grounds that passports must meet tougher international standards.

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Details of benefit claims, passport photocopies and mortgage payments were included in the confidential data found near Exeter Airport.

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The company uses a series of algorithms to cross check personal data such as name, date of birth and voter registered address against publicly held data such as the birth registry, voter lists and passport details.

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For most every other passport-wielding jetsetter, we're guessing that it'd behoove you to keep a data connection nearby.

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Then the system asked me to insert my passport so it could optically scan the special set of letters to identify me with the system and transmit the data to the Department of Homeland Security.

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