New Passports To Include Electronic Data

RFID chips are small electronic devices, not much larger or thicker than a product label, with a built-in antenna and the ability to communicate electronically by transmitting a signal to a receiver. The chip can contain and convey basic identification information. The U.S. Department of State is now implementing a rule, adopted in 2005, under which RFID chips will be embedded in all passports issued in the United States. The requirement is part of an effort to develop electronic passports with global interoperability. The International Civil Aviation Organization has developed standards to assure consistency across the globe. Some countries have already begun embedding such 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. Starting next month, all U.S. passports will also have the electronic tags. "The U.S. is adopting the 'e-Passports,'" said Jennifer Connors, Chief Customs and Border Protection officer in Miami. "In Europe, many countries did not require you to have a visa to enter. Most have now adopted the e-Passport," she explained. U.S. documents will also meet the new e-Passport requirements. In the future, the chips may also contain information such as a digitized photo, fingerprints or a retinal (eye) scan that can be read by a machine to compare with the person seeking entry. "This will help reduce passport fraud." http://www.sun-herald.com:80/NewsArchive4/010207/tp7de7.htm?date=010207&story=tp7de7.htm

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