The State Department is proposing to add an electronic device to passports to permit electronic reading of passport information -- much like the product control tags in use at department stores.
Why is this a bad idea? Passport Control are not the only people who can get RFID readers. Anyone who cares to can get one and read all of the passport identity information from any passport within reach. Can you say "Identity theft?" I thought you could.
Alan Moore
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Koz,
Posts: 2012 | Location: USA | Registered: 10-05-03
Worse, the USA is demanding that the European Union introduce such passports or be faced with EU citizens having to apply for a visa. While we are introducing such biometric passports, we do object to the time scale that the US wants. As usual with panic legislation the US wants it all done yesterday, as it were.
Considering that the US doesn't even have i.d. cards for her own citizens, has comparatively few passport holders, and , so far as we know, to date has been letting anyone from Canada or Mexico in and out without a passport we find this all mildly amusing.
The EU is said to be considering a requirement that all US citizens obtain a visa to travel to the EU should the US adopt a high- handed attitude in this matter. (Always possible: you know just how sensitive and diplomatic your administration likes to be )
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