Ok so I usually don't post political issues here, because...... well they're everywhere and who needs them here! But this is just insane! Apparently the US Gov recently outsourced e-passport technology to European companies who produce the chips in Thailand. The plant in Thailand was a victim of Chinese economic espionage and allegedly the technology was stolen. WTF are we doing outsourcing US passport data when there are companies here that would fall hand over foot to land an account like that and do it securely! It is like political anarchy:grr::ugh: http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080327/NATION/119767500/1002
Red Army is comming for ya... lol but i am also glad my passport is not chipped, I fail to see the purpose of a chip inside the passport where there is already a magnetic strip inside that contains all the information, which contains readily available information to readers at immigration and electornic plane ticket readers
How do you know that the info on that strip is not transferred over to e-technology and made available. You do not have control over that?!?!?!!?
From wikipedia The U.S. version of the biometric passport (sometimes referred to as an electronic passport) has descriptive data and a digitized passport photo on its contactless chips, and does not have fingerprint information placed onto the contactless chip. However, the chip is large enough (64 kilobytes) for inclusion of biometric identifiers. The U.S. Department of State now issues biometric passports only. Passports without chips remain valid for the entirety of their respective periods of validity.[7] Although a system able to perform a facial-recognition match between the bearer and his or her image stored on the contactless chip is desired, it is unclear when such a system will be deployed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at its ports of entry.[8] A high level of security became a priority for the United States after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. High security required cracking down on counterfeit passports. In October 2004, the production stages of this high-tech passport commenced as the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) issued awards to the top bidders of the program. The awards totaled to roughly $1,000,000 for startup, development, and testing. The driving force of the initiative is the U.S. Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002 (also known as the "Border Security Act"), which states that such smartcard IDs will be able to replace visas. As for foreigners traveling to the U.S., if they wish to enter U.S. visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), they are now required to possess machine-readable passports that comply with international standards. Additionally, for travelers holding a valid passport issued on or after October 26, 2006, such a passport must be a biometric passport if used to enter the U.S. visa-free under the VWP.
"A high level of security became a priority for the United States after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. High security required cracking down on counterfeit passports. In October 2004, the production stages of this high-tech passport commenced as the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) issued awards to the top bidders of the program. The awards totaled to roughly $1,000,000 for startup, development, and testing. The driving force of the initiative is the U.S. Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002 (also known as the "Border Security Act"), which states that such smartcard IDs will be able to replace visas. As for foreigners traveling to the U.S., if they wish to enter U.S. visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), they are now required to possess machine-readable passports that comply with international standards. Additionally, for travelers holding a valid passport issued on or after October 26, 2006, such a passport must be a biometric passport if used to enter the U.S. visa-free under the VWP.[/QUOTE]" I guess the Chinese are better prepared than we are. Makes sense really. They own our asses (deficit), so they might as well stake their claim!
" I guess the Chinese are better prepared than we are. Makes sense really. They own our asses (deficit), so they might as well stake their claim![/QUOTE] :wiggle: