14 DAY TRIAL // RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) solutions will be included on the latest version of travel papers the US Government will soon offer citizens. Apparently, this new system will be launched next year and it contains a digital picture of the owner, but also other information that regular printed passports contain.
Starting October 2006, any American citizen that wants to switch to the electronic identification system needs only to ask, and passports that will expire beginning with that date will automatically be replaced with the new system.
Foreigners from countries who do not need visas to enter the United States also must have the chips by next October.
By introducing these modern identification systems, the US proves not only that it is dedicated to supporting new technologies, but it also hopes to gain in security features.
However, experts aren't exactly thrilled with replacing printed passports as they think the data on the chips, which is to be read at a short distance by electronic receivers in passport-control booths, could be electronically intercepted and misused.