The IPS chips are designed to operate at a distance of just a few centimetres from the reader. The new British biometric passport is protected with a key that can only be obtained by manually or optically reading the bio data page (the page with the passport holder's details on). Also, once that key is obtained and communication established between the reader and the biometric passport, all messages are electronic with a unique key for each and every session thus thwarting any would be eavesdroppers.
The Basic Access Control protocol requires the passport to be open at the data page and the printed information optically scanned before any data can be read from the chip. It is not possible to read the UK passport when the e-Passport is closed without the relevant printed information.
No. In order to do this, an individual would need a specialist reader that would require a code that can only be obtained through information that is on the passport page itself. It would not be possible without getting physical access to the passport booklet itself and since the chip only contains information that is printed on page 31 of the passport, it would then be pointless to try to read the chip.
24-hour Passport Adviceline: 0300 222 0000 (see terms and conditions). Calls made to 0300 numbers from landlines and mobile phones are charged to customers at their network provider's national rate. Live operators are available to assist with your enquiry 24 hours a day.
Privacy
statement | Terms
and conditions | Freedom
of Information | Accessibility
© Crown copyright 1995 – 2008.
All rights reserved. All trademarks acknowledged.
