Coffs Free and Open Technology Network

I find the world an interesting place...your raise a concern hoping you are wrong and its confirmed...now I'm scared.

I have to get a new passport and I found a strange question that you have to agree to. It was about biometrics and what the intended use is.

Below is the email I sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and their reply. Read it and be very scared.

When I spoke to them on the phone they had problems with my questions...I stressed my concern that biometrics was not bullet proof and someone some time in the future will bust it, they got quite short with me? I then raised the problem of this data being stored on a chip in the passport - the information is protected in Australia (Privacy Act) whilst I'm here but what happens on foreign soil? They where getting very short. They told me that they would only use the information in border control (in the future) for identifying me, I laughed and asked for a copy of their policy...they could not find one. They are now very perturbed with me now. They said it was a parlement act (Biometric chip in passport) and they are bound by the Privacy Act and that is the end off the story - accept the new passport and condition or get nothing...I'm now getting short. I spent most of the morning going from DFAT to Office of Privacy Commision to ASIO (no one answers the phone - are they trying to a trace???? This is my paranoi) to the Ombusman. All passed me back and forward. Last ditch was to put it into writing and vola read on. The top half is their reply and the bottom half is my question.

Note: in the middle you will see an inter-department forward to apis.tas@centrelink.gov.au - very interesting...Plus I put the bolding to highlight the key points.

Helen.Taylor@dfat.gov.au; on behalf of; passport.operations@dfat.gov.au

Dear Mr Templeton

Thank you for your enquiry to the Australian Passport Information Service
regarding Biometric issues.

The Passports web site extract that you quoted outlines the policy and
purpose of biometric matching. This process protects your interests as it
will indicate if you have been a victim of identity fraud.

The Australian privacy law applies to all data held regarding passport
applicants, both in Australia and overseas.

Yours sincerely,

Regards
Passport Operations
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
Canberra
Tel 02 6261 3844
Mob 040158 7453
Fax 02 6112 3844

Passport
Operations/DFATL
Sent by: Phil To
Bell/People/DFATL passports_policy/People/DFATL@DFATL
cc
Tony Grenenger/People/DFATL@DFATL,
06/12/2007 01:51 Mark Porter/People/DFATL@DFATL
PM Subject
Fw: Biometrics Issues
[SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Forwarded for your action.
regards

Passport Operations
Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Tel: +61 2 6261 1539

----- Forwarded by Phil Bell/People/DFATL on 06/12/2007 01:48 PM -----

apis.tas@centrelink.gov.au
To
06/12/2007 01:22 passport.operations@dfat.gov.au
PM cc

Subject
Re: Biometrics Issues
[SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Please find below an e-mail received at APIS today.

Regards,

Adam


"Paul Templeton" <>


06/12/2007 08:34 To <passports.australia@dfat.gov.au>
cc
Subject Biometrics Issues
[SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Reference

Expires

Hi Guys,

I have a problem with your policy (lack of) re biometrics. There seems to
be a clear concise documentation (available form your staff and your
website) on how data is kept, stored, accessed etc re Question 14 on the
passport application, points 2-4 under 'I understand that:'.

But the first point states my photograph will be used for biometric matching purposes
(biometric matching allows the passport photograph to be electronically
compared with other facial images to confirm identity). - this is the
problem area...where is the policy? who's facial images are you going to
scan mine against??? Your website has this to say about it...


Facial Recognition Technology

Facial recognition technology uses measurements of the face to match an
image against a 'gallery' of existing images. It is much more accurate than
manual matching as a means of confirming identity. Electronic matching
allows a facial image to be matched against a database containing millions
of images. Electronic matching also allows a facial image to be matched
against a watch list of images of known terrorists and other transnational
criminals.

Clearly this is an abuse of my privacy...this is equivalent of being put
into a line up at the local police station under suspicion of a
crime...Please clarify this as it is not clear. Send a copy of your policy
in regards to biometrics and the agencies who can access my detail and
under what situations. Also - in Australia my information is protected
under the Privacy Act but am I protected overseas???

Clarity on this subject would be good,

Thanks

Paul Templeton
0448540500


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Note By Me - Yes I've proberly breached some law by posting this - so let them come and take me away aha