The new electronic passports include a computer chip in the back cover that securely stores the same information that is printed on the document.
The US began issuing e-passports to diplomats and other government workers in late 2005, and is now expanding the program to include the tourist passport used by private citizens. By the end of this year, the government expects that all new US passports will be issued as e-passports.
Infineon supplies its secure identification chips to more than 20 countries that have begun to use electronic passports or have begun to test this technology, including Germany, Hong Kong, Norway and Sweden.
As a security measure, US Congress passed legislation requiring that countries participating in the US Visa Waiver Program must issue passports with secure chip technology by October 2006.
The US government estimates that up to 15 million new passports will be issued in the first full year of the electronic passport roll-out – which currently represents the single biggest electronic passport project worldwide.
