Sinister tracking device in my new passport..?

Deadly Ferret · 20 Mar 2008 at 16:04

New passport today. On its Observation Page at the rear, is a circuit of copper wire with a small, black chip hooked up to it.

What is it?

6thElement · 20 Mar 2008 at 16:05

RFID, so someone can steal your details without even stealing your passport.

Burnsy2023 · 20 Mar 2008 at 16:05

RFID tag?

Burnsy

Richdog · 20 Mar 2008 at 16:07

Is it illegal to remove it?

Rich_L · 20 Mar 2008 at 16:07

It's an RFID chip which contains an electronic copy of the information and the photo on the info page of the passport

Deadly Ferret · 20 Mar 2008 at 16:08

I have been considering crushing it, but in a way in which it wouldn't look like intentional damage. I have an old vice I could do it with, just a matter of finding the right stuff to use as cushioning I reckon.

Indy500 · 20 Mar 2008 at 16:10

Deadly Ferret said:
I have been considering crushing it, but in a way in which it wouldn't look like intentional damage. I have an old vice I could do it with, just a matter of finding the right stuff to use as cushioning I reckon.

I guess if you only use it for ID at job interviews damage to the RFID chip is irrelevant...

Rich_L · 20 Mar 2008 at 16:10

Yeah could do, depends on what you want your passport for, I can imagine it causing some problems at (as an example) US immigration if they couldn't read the RFID info.

randal · 20 Mar 2008 at 16:10

Cut the antenna wire, that'll do it.

Burnsy2023 · 20 Mar 2008 at 16:12

Richdog said:
Is it illegal to remove it?

It'd probably void the passport.

Burnsy

iviv · 20 Mar 2008 at 16:12

Ovaries. Do it.

6thElement · 20 Mar 2008 at 16:12

Give it an oophorectomy.

iviv · 20 Mar 2008 at 16:13

6thElement said:
Give it an oophorectomy.

doofer · 20 Mar 2008 at 16:13

Strong magnets are supposed to be really bad for this sort of stuff I hear.

Richdog · 20 Mar 2008 at 16:15

Is the date strongly encrypted, and in what ways could someone else nab it... just a case of having the correct reader and making a quick swipe?

JollyGreen · 20 Mar 2008 at 16:15

putting it in the microwave does the trick I hear*

*nb; this may cause a critical cascade failure

Incidentally the only data stored on the RFID currently is a digital copy of your photo... so it's not that big a deal

Deadly Ferret · 20 Mar 2008 at 16:16

I rarely go abroad, and since school days never outside of Europe. No plans to change that in the near future, but I can't rule out wanting to go somewhere exotic in a few years.

I got it mainly for identity purposes, as I don't have a driving licence.

randal24 said:
Cut the antenna wire, that'll do it.

Cheers. I thought of that on my way home, but the problem is that the whole device is underneath the some sort of sticky film used to cover photos a few years ago. No way to cut it without going through the film, which would show it had been done on purpose.

Are the chips tough/durable?

TheVoice · 20 Mar 2008 at 16:18

Any reason why you feel the need to destroy it?

LordSplodge · 20 Mar 2008 at 16:18

Deadly Ferret said:
I have been considering crushing it, but in a way in which it wouldn't look like intentional damage. I have an old vice I could do it with, just a matter of finding the right stuff to use as cushioning I reckon.

..and then have to pay another £72 for a new passport? Not the brightest idea ever.

It's an electronic version of your passport details and not Big Brother or anything.

Deadly Ferret · 20 Mar 2008 at 16:18

JollyGreen said:
Incidentally the only data stored on the RFID currently is a digital copy of your photo... so it's not that big a deal

But how do you know that, and how am I to know that? I distrust the government.