Biometric products have been commercially available since 1968, but commercial use of biometrics has become unexceptional only in the last few years. Early Biometric Identification Technology was considered extremely expensive. However, due to constant developments in computer technology and reduction in prices, along with improvements in accuracy, biometrics have begun to see widespread deployment. For example, a fingerprint scanner that cost $3,000 five years ago, with software included, and $500 two years ago, costs $100 today. As a result, biometric systems are being developed in many countries for such purposes as social security entitlement, payments, immigration control and election management.The demand for the introduction of harmonised biometric data (e.g.: fingerprints, DNA or iris scans) has been lead by the US who have been backed by the UK. Biometric data will be included on UK passports from 2006 embedded in a microchip - which may contain other unspecified data. The EU has backed the allocation 140 million euros to developing controls at borders and of databases including biometric identifiers." (COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 24.09.2003).