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Your new passport has a computer chip inside. Should you worry?

Every passport made since 2007 ships with a computer chip in the back containing all your personal information. Are they secure?

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Mobile | by Randall Bennett | Thu Oct 16, 2008 2:02PM | 0 comments

Thinking about picking up a new passport? You'll notice a new icon at the bottom of the country seal on the front. That icon signifies the passport is "digitally enhanced" with RFID, enabling the passport to store all your information digitally and transmit it to a capable passport reader. Every new passport issued since August 2007 has a special chip inside that stores data about the traveller, including a photograph and the personally identifiable information found on the ID page of the passport. These chips can transmit the data wirelessly and without touching anything.  However, since nothing is required to be touched to start transmission, skilled hackers could potentially "skim" the data from the passport without the bearer even knowing. Should you be concerned?

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Related glossary terms:
RFID, E-passport

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