Definition of Biometric Passports
A biometric passport, otherwise known as an e-passport, is a traditional passport coupled with biometric technology in order to create an identification document that is more secure and that provides for remote scanning and tracking.
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Biometric Passport Design
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Biometric passports are typically equipped with complex pages containing intricate watermarks, holograms and a data chip. The chip is usually sewn under the surface of the cover to prevent tampering.
Data Storage
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Basic biometric passports are equipped with data chips containing all of the typical personal information about the passport holder, including biometric data like fingerprints, distance between the eyes, and even retinal scans, that can be verified at checkpoints.
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Scanning
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Most biometric passports have small antennas installed in them so that they can be scanned via radio frequency from a distance. This information is theoretically protected from third-party scanners by the public key infrastructure, basic access controls and digital signatures.
Countries Using Biometric Passports
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All of the European Union (EU) is now required to issue biometric passports. The United States, with the signing of the Real ID Act, now only issues biometric passports, along with about 35 other countries.
Controversy
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Many people regard biometric passports as an invasion of privacy for fear that they will be used to pinpoint a person's exact location at any time. People also reject the passport based on security concerns that third parties will be able to force access to information contained on the data chips.
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