I received my passport from the US government today. It’s a small blue book, and it lets me travel the world. This is my first passport with a microchip. The new passports have RFID Chips (Radio Frequency Identification Chips), that hold all your personal information. They come equipped with antennas that connect with RFID tags. The government website claims RFID antennas only connect to information from a few feet away. However, some third party websites have proven that it can be up to several miles or more. The chip does not run on a battery, but is built to last for several decades.
RFID Chip and Passport
When I first examined the small booklet, I couldn’t actually find the chip. I ran my fingers hard over the front and back covers but couldn’t feel any sudden bumps to indicate where it was. I thought it would be more obvious. I was expecting this gigantic flashing, buzzing, inch-thick computer chip. Instead, I found that the small golden rectangle below, “Country of Origin” was the chip. So tinny. It looks painted on. I’m guessing in a few years it will grow in size, and be more invasive. Better yet, it will be implanted in our skin at birth. It will hold all of our personal information, and will tell the government our exact location.
I was surprised to find that there wasn’t a lot of information about the chip inside the passport. I was expecting a whole page about it’s purpose, it’s structure, and hope for advancements in microchips. The only reference to it was in the back of the booklet:
This document contains sensitive electronics. For best performance, do not bend, perforate, or expose to extreme temperatures.
The passport of today hides the tracking device embedded within, but at the same time, mocks you by putting it on the cover. Most people will not notice it, and most don’t know it is there. If someone who is trying to find the microchip can’t find it, then how is someone who knows nothing of it going to notice it at all? They aren’t. The Passport is decorated in “patriotic” quotes and American flags. Even I was distracted.
Watch out for advancements in RFID Chips. They are happening now, and they will be implemented soon. Check out the video to below to see the future. Sure, some of it is pretty cool, but a lot of it is pure big brother. It takes away your freedom of choice, and our freedom of thought.
