Trilight Zone

[digital8]

The American Civil Liberties union and Neville Pattinson, an executive at Axalto North America, which is working on a prototype U.S. electronic passport, are calling the US State Department’s plans for electronic passports woefully inadequate. Based on the international standards for electronic passports set by the U.N.-affiliated International Civil Aviation Organization (CAO), the agency’s approach is too simplistic and disregards basic privacy and security concerns, according to Mr. Pattinson. He explained that the international standards call for sophisticated smart card devices that use a chip and an antenna embedded in the passports' covers, and include additional security measures that are only optional. Mr. Pattinson said identity thieves could wire a briefcase with a reader and easily pick up information from the cards. Barry Steinhardt, director of the technology and liberty program at the American Civil Liberties Union, said there is no built in security, and that the cards will put Americans at risk when they travel.
http://www.securityfocus.com/news/9981