"passport" card in the works

[scooterbug44]

From my travel agent:

"PASSPORT CARD" IN THE WORKS
A new "passport card" is in development as the State Department, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, works to find an affordable alternative to traditional passports for U.S. citizens crossing to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda by land or sea. The first phase of the land and sea portion of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative goes into effect on Jan. 31, 2008. Starting then, U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present specific forms of identification. The limited passport card would expand the use of vicinity radio frequency identification at America's ports of entry, allowing the card to be read from several feet away as a car approaches an inspection site. As proposed, the card would be wallet size and less than half the cost of a traditional passport. Along with a $25 execution fee, it would cost $20 for ages 16 and older and $10 for children. (New York Times)

What is the point of requiring an ID card that can 1) be read from several feet away 2) replicates an existing form of ID?

Why can't they just get a regular passport?

 

[Beach Runner]

RFID chips are embedded in passports by the U.S. government for security reasons. However, because of privacy issues, I've read that the U.S. government is looking at ways to avoid an invasion of privacy from this technology.

BTW several credit card companies, such as Chase, have issued RFID credit cards. Someone with an RFID reader can get closeby and read personal information. Apparently in large cities, there are people hanging out in shopping areas and stealing credit card information. That can be resolved by ordering an RFID sleeve for the credit card. I've seen them available online.

One of my students has an RFID chip embedded in his body so that the door to his apartment unlocks and his car unlocks when he gets nearby, without the need for a key.

 

[scooterbug44]

We have passports similar to those of many other countries. We can't meet the current demand for all the new passports we are requiring as a security measure.

How does another type of passport help us with the backlog and confusion about what is required?

How does a passport that can be electronically read from several feet away help us with security?

 

[goofer]

I just got my new passports yesterday. it took 4 months to receive them !! thank goodness i had no plans for traveling out of country.

 

[scooterbug44]

37% increase in demand, 300% increase in time...........for an anticipated demand!

I'll probably be applying for a new one rather than trying to renew as I can't go 3 months with no international travel!

 

[Mango]

One of my students has an RFID chip embedded in his body so that the door to his apartment unlocks and his car unlocks when he gets nearby, without the need for a key.

Is there a reason for this?

 

[Miss Kitty]

Is there a reason for this?

...here's what I thought....Oh, FTLOG!!!!

 

[elgordoboy]

Is there a reason for this?

I would absolutely love not carrying keys around. I have keypads installed on car and home right now. Wonder how the guy keeps the doors locked once he is in the car?

 

[Beach Runner]

I would absolutely love not carrying keys around. I have keypads installed on car and home right now. Wonder how the guy keeps the doors locked once he is in the car?

Same principle as in my BMW. You can keep your keys in your purse, and it recognizes you and unlocks the car. Then you program it so that it locks after a certain amount of time, when the car reaches a certain speed, etc.

Speaking of passports, after my husband got back from his round-the-world trip earlier this month, his passport was filled up. So he had to send it off for more pages. He's worried that he'll need to visit a customer overseas. Of course, there are places that can speed up the passport process for you in larger towns. They charge a boatload of money, but it's worth it when you do something stupid like let your passport expire right before leaving for a vacation (like we did once).

 

[Beach Runner]

One of my students has an RFID chip embedded in his body

Actually there are some practical applications of this. You can be RFID'ed with all of your contact info, list of medications, and medical history in case you get ill/injured and pass out and somehow your identification is damaged or lost. Like an AVID chip for a dog. It could save your life. This will be a common practice in the future from what I've read.