US issues first RFID passports

After an on-again, off-again review process that finally culminated with full State Department approval last year, the US government has finally issued its first passports containing RFID chips. The embedded chips in the new passports -- which are being issued to a group of diplomats as part of a pilot program -- contain the same information that's in the printed document, including a photo of the passport holder. Government officials have said that the use of the RFID chip allows passports to be scanned and cross-referenced with security databases more easily, while privacy advocates have argued they'll make it easier for identity thieves and terrorists to extract information -- especially after a security firm successfully demonstrated that they were able to crack the encryption used on prototype Dutch RFID passports. Despite such concerns, the new passports are scheduled to be rolled out nationally in October.

[Josh @ Mar 13th 2006 3:05PM]

Anybody ever read '1984'?

[jordan wheeler @ Mar 13th 2006 3:16PM]

Anybody ever read "Revalations?"

[Tom @ Mar 13th 2006 3:16PM]

the UK are introducing this on all new passports as well. seriously its not going to help and how long before it gets hacked?

[bdegroodt @ Mar 13th 2006 3:21PM]

Read 1984? Are you kidding? The average American isn't even reading 2006.

[Ladderless @ Mar 13th 2006 3:21PM]

I still don't get the advantages RFID offer over a contact system like they have in "smart cards" (Amex Blue, etc).

You'd have all the data capacity (and then some) of the RFID system, with none of the security risks of unauthorized people scanning and keeping the information).

[Finished.Law.School @ Mar 13th 2006 3:23PM]

Anybody ever learn how to spell?

Any information as to why the government has chosen to ignore the fact that the information on these can be taken by someone inclined to do so?

[Deirdre Saoirse Moen @ Mar 13th 2006 3:39PM]

Damn. I prefer to have my passport on me when I travel, even domestically. The possibility of RFID theft makes the costs of that too high to even consider.

Identity theft through the airwaves. Gah.

[furtim @ Mar 13th 2006 3:44PM]

Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid.

So they're rolling these out in October. That means if I applied for one now, I'd still get a non-RFID insecure crap passport, right? I suggest any other Americans reading this do the same. I don't know if the applications ask your reason for requestion a passport, but if so be absolutely sure to mention that you're only applying for a passport because you want to get one before they roll out RFID. Mention that RFIS passports are an insecure system that allows any idiot with a receiver and the right software to commit identity theft without even touching his target. It probably won't accomplish anything, but goddammit it's as subversive as we're allowed to be without going to prison.

[BobbyW @ Mar 13th 2006 3:58PM]

I love it when people try to blatantly bs you into believing the most stupid claims.

The USA intelligence agencies run off index cards - they don't share information. And if they did, it wouldn't matter how the info is scanned into the system, as others have pointed out. That's the kind of crap the uninformed congressman believe though, so they sign off on it.

[Scott @ Mar 13th 2006 4:19PM]

Time to roll out the "Duct-tape-coated-with-aluminum Passport Cover."

Stupid decision, but at least it's easy and cheap to protect. It's just like making a duct tape wallet with aluminum sandwiched in the middle to protect RFID cards.

Oh well.

[Arjun @ Mar 13th 2006 4:37PM]

Anyone know how to disable them? Microwave them maybe?

[Jon Konrath @ Mar 13th 2006 4:43PM]

No need for wrapping your Passport in foil - it already comes with a shield in it that limits the range of the passive chip so you need to put it right on the reader in order for it to work. People aren't going to be scanning your data from across the airport or in a passing car. This isn't WiFi.

And as far as "biometric data" stored in the chip, all of the same info is already stored on the inside front cover, in the form of your picture, height, weight, etc. This won't enable the black helicopters to find you any faster when you buy a copy of _Catcher in the Rye_.

[raun @ Mar 13th 2006 4:54PM]

i wonder if it will still be possible to go to cuba...yanno like will they be able to read where your passport has been through rfid? if so can that mean no more cuba for us americans?

[TomK @ Mar 13th 2006 4:59PM]

> Anybody ever read '1984'?

Anybody ever read, "My Life and the Roundhouse" by Chuck Norris. Greatest. Book. Ever.

[Paul @ Mar 13th 2006 5:01PM]

I seem to recall reading an article on engadget that said some bored college students did some tests and found that alluminum lined wallets and such actually boosted the signal, instead of masking it, is this correct? or am I thinking of something else?

[java @ Mar 13th 2006 5:09PM]

Thank you Accenture!

[Matt knowlton @ Mar 13th 2006 5:17PM]

I think this might just be another step to the end of privacy.
I could see That this could be a fast way of identifing who you are.

But How safe is the rfid?
I'm not gonna get a passport until they proove that it's safe and no one can steal your identity.

[Delsie @ Jul 19th 2007 3:55PM]

hi everyone im just hearing about rfid and i believe it has something to do with the mark of the beast ive heard alot about it like supposedly in 2008 they are supposedly to be implanted in our skin and our children and if we refuse that it would be a federal offence or somethin im looking for someone who can clue me in on this stuff so if anyone can help out please email me or respond

[Jeff @ Mar 13th 2006 5:29PM]

"I still don't get the advantages RFID offer over a contact system like they have in "smart cards" (Amex Blue, etc)."

Uh, Amex Blue is now using RFID. As reported right here: http://www.engadget.com/2005/06/07/amex-to-include-rfid-in-all-new-blue-cards/

My Amex Blue has a patently obvious RFID chip in it, considering the damn card is transparent. I'm now in the market for a tinfoil wallet to carry it around.

Luckily, I just got my new US passport a month or so ago. So ten more years before I have to get a new one, by which time the entire immigration system will have collapsed as all the passports issued since the RFID chip is introduced get hacked and duplicated by terrorists and drug smugglers.

[ladderless @ Mar 13th 2006 5:48PM]

"Uh, Amex Blue is now using RFID... "

My bad... I didn't kow that they started adding them (last June, so I'm not too far off). I was referring to the original chip they added when they first introduced the card.

[furtim @ Mar 13th 2006 5:55PM]

Jon, if that's the case, then why not use an inherently contact-based technology in the first place? Are you not defeating the purpose of using RFID when you require contact like that?

[Finished.Law.School @ Mar 13th 2006 6:01PM]

I'm all for trying to microwave them...

[pt @ Mar 13th 2006 6:12PM]

So goodbye civil liberties and privacy. Whilst the world is bullied into submission by the idiot George no-brains Bush and his oil grabbing henchmen, we all loose our freedoms of movement and soon no doubt our freedom of speech. I'm sure room 101 is just round the corner. Oh yes, the US already has one of those in Southern Cuba. This just makes it easier for the terrorists who are winning the war. Civilisation is losing - it's freedoms thanks to all the new laws.

[John @ Mar 13th 2006 6:19PM]

Calm down everyone. You have to understand that there is no valuable information on an RFID tag. It is just a number, much like a car's license plate, that means nothing unless you have access to the database. The advantage of RFID is that it is a fast, efficient way to process a lot of people (or things)through a queue. In the case of the passport, some biometric data will be encrypted to validate you didn't forge the passport. Then you are checked against a "known good guys" database to get the all clear in much less time.

[Rod Begbie @ Mar 13th 2006 6:34PM]

Um, John. There *is* valuable data on the RFID chip. Everything printed on the passport, for example, including photo. And it can be read from ten feet away when you're at the airport and being scanned. This is some seriously poorly designed stuff.

[James ZombieWire Mata @ Mar 13th 2006 7:01PM]

Has any one ever heard of sheep

herd of sheep. http://www.rfidetail.com

get it sheeple

[aparaty cyfrowe @ Mar 13th 2006 8:02PM]

WE can spy on you anywhere you are ;)

[Passive @ Mar 13th 2006 8:34PM]

A few options to consider:

1. Microwave it
2. Demagnitize it with a tape demag.
3. Zap it with a stun gun.
4. Carry your passport in an EMI box

[Cary @ Mar 14th 2006 2:29AM]

While I do agree that personal information should be kept off objects. I do believe that RFIDs should just carry a license plate number for regular people.

If we lockdown the database, so that only certain IPs with matched MACs that have a secure link to transfer said license plate number to track someone down, I.E. someone kidnapped, we make our world safer.

If you don't want someone tracking you down, don't do anything illegal. Which is basically steal, kill and basically destructive things without a permit :)

NO ONE is special. I'm not special, you're not special. Get over it. There are six billion people in the world, no one is after you, unless you pissed them off. And if the chip was in that person the authorities could make sure they stay away from you.

Face it, if someone was hell bent on getting your personal information, they CAN get it. If they are clever enough, there is already WAY more than enough tech gadgets out there to help steal information and if someone is good at social engineering, garnering private information is even easier.

So how about we stop saying, "RFID is bad and bad only!" When we should be saying, "RFID is good and bad, let's think of a way where we secure it in a way, that if the info is taken and unencrypted, it is useless."

This is basically like P2P apps with big companies. The best way to deliver digital media is through IP. No one doubts this and we forced it on them. Now with RFIDs, we have the potential to stop crime altogether, aside for a maniac that knows he will be caught, and everyone is TRYING as hard as they can to stop that. Look at the BIG GLARING good that RFID can bring about and lets try to stop the BIG GLARING bad that can happen.

There are ways, don't be so lazy.

[furtim @ Mar 14th 2006 5:44AM]

"If you don't want someone tracking you down, don't do anything illegal."

Yes. What a brilliant idea. To paraphrase a very famous quote:

When they come for the Jews, say nothing because you are not a Jew. And so on: then who will be left speak for you?

This kind of blind trust in Authority is exactly the cause of many problems in this world. We must never forget that the people who have Authority are, in fact, people. As such, they are falliable, infinitely falliable, and their faults are made all the mroe dangerous because they believe they have no faults. After all, they have Authority and Authority is always right.

To say that you are safe just because you have done nothing wrong is to display the worst kind of historical ignorance. In 1970, Ruben Salazar, when told that police were about to enter the bar he was in and begin shooting, replied, "That's impossible; we're not doing anything." Seconds later, he was shot in the head with a tear gas grenade and killed.

Innocence is NOT protection.

[Cameron @ Mar 14th 2006 5:53AM]

Maybe it's a deeply set hope for a conspiracy theory in us all, or maybe it that things have been happening that warrant us not to trust the people that "protect" us, because, let's face it, although things haven't gone horribly wrong yet, the fine line between conservation of our privacy and the fact that more, as information is made more available, those who have the power, have increased access to ones whereabouts and 'private' info. Is it just chance that more and more movies, books and other literature are coming out with the invasion/totalitarian conspiracy theme? There seems to be a general shift in the public concience toward a "totalitarian government conspiracy". And those in charge aren't doing much to stop the theorists. RFID seems to be a further step in that direction. It's all good and fine to say:

"If you don't want someone tracking you down, don't do anything illegal. Which is basically steal, kill and basically destructive things without a permit :)"

As, true, for now that makes sense. But what if our western governments start openly pursuing a more confined environment, and more and more things become outlawed or 'evil'.

Freedom of speech is such a big thing, yet have you noticed that basically, it's only those topics which are allowed that we're free to voice. And more and more, it seems - not to point fingers - but that it's the morally weaker areas that are lauded as needed freeing, and those where morals are upheld that are being consistently shut down.

Aren't we, as a western civilisation following blindly those who promise to lead us to freedom, where in reality, we are being blinded by "the light of freedom" and fail to see we are being led further and further towards the darkness of forced security (because terrorism is so 'rife' and the world is out to get us}. It is a false sense of security when one hides behind walls. True freedom comes when we embrace the wild. but we are all too lazy, too disparate, to engulfed by the lie to enpower change.

so let them bring RFID, and whatever other "security enhancing" (read privacy destroying) technology, for we will accept it like the silent sheep we are.

[SAFE @ Mar 14th 2006 6:09AM]

I like your speech #26 Cary, I wonder how many will look closer at your words of wisdom. Semiotics cannot be seen by all.

Dont worry yourself with RFID people, just trust your government. Go about your lifes and make money and let the people in charge keep you safe and make life easier. Soon RFID wont be so chilling once you get used to it. They just want to keep terrorists out and keep you SAFE.

Now im going to go watch tv and not think about this.

[Psycho @ Mar 14th 2006 6:59AM]

"While I do agree that personal information should be kept off objects. I do believe that RFIDs should just carry a license plate number for regular people."

And that nr. can be used to track what y'r doing. If RFID gets everywhere like in shops, 'They' can see which stores you enter, leave etc. The is nr can be read without having to break encryption. It's like having an ID nr tattoo'ed on y'r forehead (The Nazi's tattoo'ed a nr. on your arm).

And don't be fooled by the promise that they can only be read from a small distance. RFID uses power which is sent by the reader, so an advanced reader radiating more power could read your tag currently from 10 meters away.

RFID's are BAD!!!

It's okay to track inventory, but it should keep clear of humans. Let homelandsecurity or whatever agency your country uses do their work instead of sitting behind a computer screen trying to monitor everyone.

[Mike Aiello @ Mar 14th 2006 5:04PM]

You can get RFID blocking passport cases and wallets at http://www.difrwear.com ...

[Brockmoore @ Mar 15th 2006 11:36AM]

RFID does not, as nothing will ever protect you or me from terrorist or the like.

How do you protect from a persons will? No document or technology is going to flag a person that has the desire to cause harm.

All of the 9/11 terrorists had 100% legal documentation and the next group will all have legal RFID chips in whatever the government comes up with.

Giving up freedoms for the honest people is not and will never be the way to protect anyone, it only allows more control for the greedy.

[GTgadget @ Mar 15th 2006 5:59PM]

...and in the latest news, perhaps your passport can now catch a virus too.

www.theregister.com/2006/03/15/rfid_tags_infected_by_virus/