IBM wins contract for £15m immigration system

IBM has won a £15m contract to track and screen travellers entering and leaving the UK using passenger and intelligence databases.

The 'Project Semaphore' trial is the first part of the UK government's 'e-Borders' project to use the internet and travel operator and airline databases to tighten the UK's border controls and tackle terrorism. It will initially involve six million passengers a year travelling on selected international air routes to and from the UK.

The e-Borders system will identify people who have boarded transport destined for the UK, check them automatically against databases of individuals who pose a security risk, and keep a simple electronic record of entry into the country. The system will also enable authorities to record people leaving the UK, helping to identify those who overstay. It is set to begin full implementation from 2008.

IBM has won the three-year contract and by the end of the year it will be processing passenger information and passenger name records provided by the airlines.

Immigration minister, Des Browne, said in a statement that the project will play an important role in safe-guarding the UK against terrorism, organised crime and illegal immigration. "The signing of this contract with IBM marks the next stage in the Government's programme to transform and strengthen UK border controls. Project Semaphore will enable us to record simply and effectively details of passengers intending to enter or leave the UK before they begin their journey," he said.