coRank > Security > Since 1st Jan 2007 all US passports have RFID 'allways on' chips!

Since 1st Jan 2007 all US passports have RFID 'allways on' chips!

16 / 3

http://www.RipThatClip.com/RipThatClip.aspx?action=4&actionV...

Submitted by liquidboy 63 months, 1 week, 6 days, 20 hours ago

I read an interesting blog recently stating that all new passports issued in the US since 01 Jan 2007 have RFID technology embeded in them and beaming information to some global system permanently.

Tags: rfid, Passports

comment (1) | Category: Security | Add liquidboy as a source

#1 - By cquinn, 63 months, 10 days, 19 hours ago.

Avg: Agree |

There are several inaccurate points in that article, which can be clarified by reference to the wikipedia article on the subject.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RFID#Passports

Most RFID tags work in what is called "passive" mode, they can only transmit information when there is an active RFID scanner nearby, and even the active tags (which have their own power supply) cannot beaming information to some global system permanently, because they still have to be withing range of a scanner that can identify the information that the tag transmits.

Also, from the wikipedia entry "The chips will store the same information that is printed within the passport and will also include a digital picture of the owner. The passports will incorporate a thin metal lining to make it more difficult for unauthorized readers to "skim" information when the passport is closed." Which is designed to make it even harder for the RFID tag to be read unless the passport is handed directly to, or in close proximity to someone with a RFID scanner.

The author of the article claims that they try to keep up-to-date on RFID and privacy related issues, but they were unaware that the US is one of the last technologically advanced nations to allow the use of RFID tags on passports.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biometric_passport

I would also not be inclined to follow the advice given to disable the chip:
"To the best of my knowledge, a nonworking RFID doesn’t invalidate the passport, so you can still use it."

While that might be true, the amount of force you would probably need to disable the chip would also leave a mark on the passport itself that could be seen as a sign of tampering.

Instead you could plan on also getting a passport wallet, and line it with aluminum foil to cut out the possibility of all but the closests scanners working on the tag inside.

http://www.wired.com/news/privacy/0,1848,61264,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_1

Reply to cquinn

View story