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November 03, 2005
Australia & Germany introduces ePassports, rest not far behind
The first biometrically-enabled Australian passport - or ePassport - has been issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The passports will feature a microchip embedded in the centre that contains information about the bearer, as well as the image of the bearer, so they can be verified when passed before a technical reading machine known as an optical identifier.
The chip will contain the same information that is shown on existing Australian passports, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer.
Germany also introduced electronic passports on Tuesday as one of the first countries in the European Union. By the summer of 2006, all new EU passports will contain a special chip which stores a digital photo of the passport holder's face.
The US The Department of State plans to issue the first full validity electronic passports in December 2005. By October 2006, all domestic passport agencies will issue electronic passports.
Posted by admin at November 3, 2005 02:00 PM