I would be remiss if I didn’t include information on the new biometric passport.  The biometric passport (Electronic passport or e-passport for short) complies with requirements set forth by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United Nations agency.  The e-passport is the same as a regular passport with the addition of a small contactless integrated circuit (computer chip) called radio frequency ID (RFID).  The RFID is a tiny radio frequency ID (RFID) chip inline to replace the barcode in supermarkets. The chip emits radio signals that can be read at a short distance by an electronic reader.  

The chip includes the holder’s personal data including their photo found on the information page of the passport.  The chip used in the
U.S. passport is 64 kilobytes in size which will eventually allow additional biometric identifiers should the need arise in the future such as digital facial images.

http://www.u2canhavesuccess.com/images/epplogo.jpg 

 

The use of biometric information that links a person to a passport is designed to help detect counterfeit or modified passports, identity theft, assists in faster immigration inspections, confirms the identity of the holder and provides greater border protection and security.  Biometrics is unique, measurable, physical characteristics which are used to recognize or verify the identity of the holder. Examples of biometric information include facial imaging, fingerprints and iris patterns.  

Travelers bound for the
U.S. who don’t yet have an e-passport still can enter the country with machine-readable passports and a digital photograph issued before Oct. 26, or machine-readable passports issued before Oct. 26, 2005. The inspection process at
U.S. ports of entry is unchanged.  Passports without chips will still be valid for the full extent of their validity period.

Some countries have already begun embedding the chips in passports. For instance, Malaysia has had RFIDs in their passports since 1998, and all new passports issued by the
U.K. now have RFID chips.  Passports that contain the chip will have the e-passport logo (shown below) shown on the front and is identified as the international symbol for an electronic passport.  It signifies that the passport contains an integrated circuit or chip on which data about the passport and passport bearer is stored. 

http://u2canhavesuccess.com/images/biometrics2.jpg

Opposition to the idea of implanting RFID chips in passports has grown amidst worries that identity thieves could snatch personal information out of the air simply by aiming a high-powered antenna at a person or a vehicle carrying a passport. One of the primary concerns with using RFID chips in the new passports is that the chips can be read from a distance. That means that potentially, someone with the proper equipment could access the data on your passport if they are physically close enough. How close is in question. Some privacy experts allege that the RFID chips can be read from as far away as 30 to 65 feet, while government officials say it can be read only in close proximity. The State Department in an effort to appease citizens concerns included a blocking device in the passport to cover personal information from being read while the passport is closed.  Additionally, The State Department has taken measures to protect the privacy of the information and to lessen the chances of the electronic data being skimmed (unauthorized reading) or eavesdropped (intercepting communication of the transmission of data between the chip and the reader by unintended recipients). Metallic anti-skimming material has been placed into the front cover and spine of the e-passport book which prevents the chip from being skimmed, or read, when the book is fully closed.Another area of concern is that if the passport’s electronic chip is damaged or stops working you don’t have to replace it. The agency reasons that since the same information on the data page is the same as what is on the chip that there is no need to replace a damaged chip. The State Department has further indicated that the information contained in the passport chip will not be encrypted because it’s no different from the viewable information page. Plus, encrypted data takes longer to read and requires more complicated technology, which makes it difficult to coordinate with other nations. You can obtain more information about the e-passport at http://travel.state.gov/passport/eppt/eppt_2498.html#.