New US e-passports to speed checkpoint times, freak out privacy types, in April or May

The feds are done debating and are all prepped to introduce RFID e-passports readable up to 20 feet away to US citizens who frequently travel to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean in either April or May of 2008. The new passports should allow traveler info to be read as they're shuffling up to the border agent, who can verify their info and wave them along with little delay. Privacy advocates are obviously concerned about people capturing data or cloning the passports, but you can always "accidentally" destroy your RFID chip if that's enough of an issue for you -- the rest of us welcome our benevolent Big Brother with bellyfeel!

[Via Slashdot]

[Matthew Hilario @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:26PM]

DIY: how to alter your rfid tags. more after the break.

[paragraph @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:32PM]

In totally unrelated news, Reynolds Wrap sales skyrocket, Gucci is now offering a Stylish Tinfoil Handbag for $2,300, and geeks are not amused.

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Seriously though, anyone worried about someone "haxxorzing" your passport with half a brain allready has a tin-foil lined Passport Holder. EOD, Not News ;)

Honestly, if i get one i'll enjoy pestering guards :D

[Josh @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:47PM]

i am pretty sure I have RFID in my passport that i got this past summer, otherwise i am not sure what the lump that says "do not apple pressure in this area" is....

[jus10 @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:04PM]

There'd be a symbol on the front under United States of America. It's sort of like a double C if that makes sense.

I don't yet have one but I'll be getting one soon as it will soon be renewal time.

[Wwhat @ Jan 3rd 2008 6:21PM]

Hehe, let the guessing begin :)

[longofest @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:07PM]

Ugh... More FUD...

This article has nothing to do with e-Passport. It has to do with the Passport Card. The Passport Card is cheaper than a full-fledged e-Passport book, and is very different in many respects. For one, a regular e-Passport stores a bunch of personally identifiable information on the RFID. The Passport Card only has an identifier which links to a database that stores the personal information.

For what its worth, e-Passports began distribution in 2006.

[longofest @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:22PM]

If you want to see a decent real-time example of how these cards will help in the real world, go to this website:

http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/

The best example is San Ysidro, which is the largest land border crossing in the world. As of right now (note: it's not even rush hour), it's a 55 minute wait for normal travelers, but for RFID-enhanced SENTRI lanes, it's only a 10 minute wait.

[Geoffrey Sperl @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:40PM]

Damn. The article got my hopes up.

Oh, well...

Now I need to find my tinfoil.

[LPD @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:11PM]

I was issued a RFID passport a couple of months ago. The cover prevents reading when closed. The chip is designed for very close range (under 6 inches) only. Most information can not be retreived without physical keying in a decryption key printed on the inside.

[Wwhat @ Jan 3rd 2008 6:22PM]

Uhm, then what is the advantage?

[Nick Catalano @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:13PM]

I have no problem if all it consists of is the equivilent to one of those smartcards you get that link to your profile. Swipe it by and you have access without even talking to anyone.

[Geoffrey Sperl @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:38PM]

Hmmmm.... my passport expires in March. I think I know what I'm getting taken care of in the next few weeks.

I figured they were already in production. But if I still have three or four months... hell, that's an eternity when it comes to the federal government. :)

[Flashpoint @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:41PM]

Technology will never be a good substitute for sincere human decency.

[Wwhat @ Jan 3rd 2008 6:23PM]

It's all we got though ;/

[Xzavier @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:45PM]

Well I’m not worrying about somebody “haxxorizing” my passport. I am worrying about the people whom created this system and then says that it is good for me!

However when the government starts making passport with the following items below, I'll stop worrying! YAHOOO!!!
http://www.ibiblio.org/Dave/Dr-Fun/df200601/df20060116.jpg

[scymrmn @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:34PM]

Engadget, this is not news. Passports with RFID have been issued for over a year. Maybe the news is that they will start actually being used for something but the passport itself is definitly not a new technology.

[Dull @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:21PM]

I wonder who got the contract to make the chips and the readers...