The Canadian Privacy Law Blog: Developments in privacy law and writings of a Canadian privacy lawyer, containing information related to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (aka PIPEDA) and other Canadian and international laws.

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The author of this blog, David T.S. Fraser, is a Canadian privacy lawyer who practices with the firm of McInnes Cooper. He is the author of the Physicians' Privacy Manual. He has a national and international practice advising corporations and individuals on matters related to Canadian privacy laws.

For full contact information and a brief bio, please see David's profile.

Please note that I am only able to provide legal advice to clients. I am not able to provide free legal advice. Any unsolicited information sent to David Fraser cannot be considered to be solicitor-client privileged.

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The views expressed herein are solely the author's and should not be attributed to his employer or clients. Any postings on legal issues are provided as a public service, and do not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained herein or linked to. Nothing herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent counsel.

This web site is presented for informational purposes only. These materials do not constitute legal advice and do not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and David T.S. Fraser. If you are seeking specific advice related to Canadian privacy law or PIPEDA, contact the author, David T.S. Fraser.

Saturday, March 08, 2008

A small step for biometrics; a giant leap for the UK surveillance state 

Passengers flying through Heathrow Airport, Terminal 5, will be photographed and fingerprinted twice before being permitted to board domestic flights. The British Airport Authority, which runs the new terminal through which all British Airways passengers will travel say this measure is "necessary to prevent criminals, terrorists and illegal immigrants trying to bypass border controls."

The only reason why this may be necessary is that the design of the new terminal permits international and domestic passengers to mingle in the secure area. Theoretically, transiting international passengers would be able to swap boarding passes with a domestic passenger circumventing border controls. On balance, it just makes sense to ramp up the big brother factor if it means the BAA doesn't have to follow the non-intrusive but universal designs used by every other airport I have ever been through.

The BAA also says the fingerprints will be discarded after 24 hours, unless -- of course -- they are of interest to the police. See: Heathrow airport first to fingerprint - Telegraph. Via the ever vigilant Boing Boing: Heathrow Terminal 5 to fingerprint domestic passengers - Boing Boing.

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