expatben

I was talking about the micro chips on British passports with a friend today telling him that when I finally have to get a new British passport chip and all it may suffer a little...accident and replied saying that it would mean my passport is useless.
Now, I am not for 1 moment suggesting or endorsing anyone breaking the law and deliberately smashing their micro chips in their passports however as we all know accidents will happen. My question is if anything happens to me chip is the passport useless? Will I have to get another one?

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pinknic38

well that depends on the use.... since the microchips have been put in the passports, do they just stamp them and send you on your way like always or do they scan it or whatever? I think it's a little risky to break it but I am anxoius to find out what happens. Is it visible?
I don't like anything with microchips... makes me think of government conspiracies and aliens and tracking devices... maybe I've just been watching too much 24/X-Files... LOL

but seriously. What is the stated purpose of the chip? So if it gets stolen they can track it?

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marc873

I've only had my passport scanned in the U.S.. All the other countries have only stamped it so far....

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mbo108

According to the State Dept website, "The U.S. Electronic Passport (e-passport) is the same as a regular passport with the addition of a small contactless integrated circuit (computer chip) embedded in the back cover. The chip securely stores the same data visually displayed on the photo page of the passport, and additionally includes a digital photograph. The inclusion of the digital photograph enables biometric comparison, through the use of facial recognition technology, at international borders. The U.S. e-passport also has a new look, incorporating additional anti-fraud and security features."

It also says that if the chip stops working, the passport is still valid until the regular expiration date and it will be processed in the manner they used to use before the addition of the microchip.

More information at http://travel.state.gov/passport/eppt/eppt_2498.html

freespiritz

For the Malaysia passport (we've had chips for years and years now), I put my passport in a reader when I go through immigration into Malaysia (via an autogate) and scan my thumb to match up prints with the ones on the chip so I don't even see an immigration officer. If the chip gets screwed up I think I can still go through the regular way...not sure about UK passports though!

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pinknic38

wow that's pretty high speed!!! everyone should switch over to that. less hassle.

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