Hanoi (VNA) - Singapore has started scanning travellers' eyes at someof its border checkpoints, in a trial of the expensive technology that couldone day replace fingerprint verification.

Accordingto the Immigration Checkpoint Authority (ICA), the move will be conducted attwo checkpoints on its northern border with Malaysia and one at a ferryterminal running services to nearby Indonesian islands.

Itis the latest in a series of high-tech initiatives in Singapore, aimed atimproving efficiency and security as the threat of militant groups in theregion has ratcheted up.

Iris-scanningtechnology, which has been used in other countries like the US and UK withvarying degrees of success, can cost five times more than existing fingerprintsystems, according to experts.

TheICA has been collecting iris images from Singaporean citizens and permanentresidents when they apply for identity cards or passports since January 2017.

ChangiAirport is considering using facial recognition systems to find latepassengers. The country also plans to use facial recognition systems in aproject to fit cameras and sensors on over 100,000 lamp-posts.

The Singaporean government said these measuresare pragmatic ways to improve people's lives and safety and has pledged to besensitive to privacy.

Authoritiesare concerned that Singapore will become a target of militant plots, somestemming from Muslim-majority neighbouring countries.-VNA