- Sunday, 12 July 2009
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The only newspapers that can be bought are the ones not worth buying - Lord Liverpool
US frequent travellers get electronic passports
THE US federal government is to start giving passport cards equipped with RFID chips to US citizens who travel a lot between the United States and Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean.
The cards are supposed to make it easier for those who travel to these countries. Their data can be picked up wirelessly and processed electronically while the travellers are waiting in the queue.
The card will set travellers back $45 and will be optional. It cannot be used for air travel, where US customs and immigration like to have fun shaking down people who clearly cannot be terrorists or criminals.
According to the Washington Post, the down side of the card is that anyone sitting within 20 metres equipped with an RFID reader can pick up the data and use it for ID theft. If you wrap the card in tin foil to prevent this happening, you might as well not use the card at all.
More here. µ
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We will soon hear of what happens when those RFID cards get lost or stolen.
I wonder what the backup plan is ?
I've been to Mexico AND Canada since getting my electronic passport, and it hasn't been read in Mexico, Canada, or upon return to the USA. They still swipe the passport at customs. I personally hate the technology, and I'm glad that they aren't using it yet, but why are they pushing it like they are?
How in the wolrd do you spot "people who clearly cannot be terrorists or criminals". Do you know it because of their shinny suits and polished shoes, their innocent faces and endearing smiles, their skin color, accent, race or gender?

Continue to underestimate terrorists and criminals and think they are just of bunch and stupid people . they could not ask anything more from you

"people who clearly cannot be terrorists or criminals" more or less quantifies everyone I've ever met...