Your silicon, please

American passports go electronic

http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news.php?newsId=1853

27 October 2005 - American Passports will be fitted with Radio Frequency Identification Chips (RFID) from next year that will hold a digital photo of the passport's owner along with other information currently printed in passports.

The US Government is planning to introduce the new passports to anyone who applies for a new one from October 2006 with older passports coming up for renewal after this date automatically getting an electronic version.

In issuing the new rules, the department is matching a requirement it is imposing on visitors from several other countries. Foreigners from countries who do not need visas to enter the United States also must have the chips by next October. Such countries will be responsible for providing their citizens with passports that comply with US entry requirements.

A spokeswoman said the department is convinced the electronic passports will provide enhanced security.

Just renewed mine (necessary for a recent trip), glad I did before getting "chipped".

Passports are good for 10 yrs.

I'm interested to know how this is going to be a Big Brother issue?

IOW, anyone who has a scanner / reader within range of your passport will be able to access your info, without ever interacting with you. Today, an official has to ask and handle your passport to obtain that info, and for a limited time. Under the chip method, the information can be retained indefinitely & anonymously.

Not only is this awful from a stolen identity perspective, but people all around you, in an international airport, for example, can access the same info without you (or anyone else) ever knowing. Imagine the implications regarding those who might like to identify and harm American travelers.

From a domestic perspective, all of your movements and information may be monitored by the federal agency of your choice, without your knowledge or consent. One of the tenets of American freedom is to be able to move about our own country unfettered and without "checkpoints".

Lots of negative connotations, at home and abroad.

And I plan to help my son get his when he returns from school. In 10 years time, we should be able to change the politics of the country.

THAT'S going to help bring in european tourists

Since ANYBODY will be able to read those passports remotely,
there will be a booming business in all-metal cases for these
chipped passports, to keep criminals from doing identity theft.

disable or alter the GUID of the tag so that it could no longer be used to identify you? Any electronics people here?

but its not exactly a good idea because...
1. it would probobly be quite illegal
and more importantly (as 1 could be hard to prove)
2. It would not work for the customs people... so they will imediately suspect it may be counterfit (they will know which ones are suposed to have the chip) and you will insure you are hastled every time.

So if I apply next summer (Jun or Jul) I should be OK, right?