I really dislike this argument. Just because it's "their country, their rules" doesn't not make it an issue? Especially when it comes to privacy concerns. Privacy concerns are universal. There are a plethora of serious issues that are not defended by "national sovereignty". If that was the case we should just turn a blind eye to North Korea, right?
I think this kind of biometric immigration verification will come to many countries eventually. Like UK, Japan and USA already tested this kind of procedure and Singapore is just one step ahead with this full implementation. So, we just can't avoid it. If this kind of verification concerns you a lot just don't travel abroad.
Singapore isn't one step ahead, it's full-on surveillance state.
The implications here are that if you go through this process, then these biometrics will bought and sold throughout the world. You'll be tracked absolutely everywhere.
Social media is a privacy concern as well, but this is clearly on another level. I don't save my biometric data on twitter. I don't need facebook to live a full life. And as you said, there are anonymous alternatives. There aren't when you travel. And living without travelling at least a little bit is kind of sad. So the comparison doesn't fit.
If you think Musk has your fingerprints because you tweeted about the last restaurant you ate, we clearly have no common sense of reality and should leave the discussion at that
You can choose not to use social media... the choice is way harder for avoiding plane travel unless you can afford the time and money to use other means, which most people don't.
It is the standard means of passport control in Europe and UK, just with the passport added, but all by machine. Once they are convinced the biometrics are good enough they'll do this too to speed things up.
At the moment it sounds optional, so that’s a plus.
Also:
The previous average clearance time for each traveller was 25 seconds, said ICA.
So, 15s saved per person. Which is handy, but 25 seconds fits squarely in the “blazing fast” category anyway.
Bet the people will spend more than 15s per person dealing with the ramifications of their biometric data getting leaked and used against them later though.
So, 15s saved per person. Which is handy, but 25 seconds fits squarely in the “blazing fast” category anyway.
This is huge when there are five 787s worth of people in line for ten passport control machines, it's the difference between waiting half an hour in line or five minutes.
I was there on transit hall couple of months ago and on the arrival hall everything is paperless already and all the paperwork can be done via phone or tablet.
EDIT: as long as your device have a proper modern web browser. everything can be done easily.
So you're just giving up any personal freedom to save some time. If you're cool with that, alright. Some people aren't though.
None of this tech is 100% accurate either. You could be passing through and get inferences that peg you as an international drug lord that ends up in prison or worse.
I am not said I am fine with it. But, if you don't want to comply with their requirement. you can't enter their country and I am sure this kind of paperless and biometric immigration check will come to many countries (UK, USA, Japan, Canada already tested it) and it is inevitable. the only workaround atm is just don't travel abroad.