More Security through Biometric Passports

The electronic passports --- e-passport for short --- contain a chip in the front cover in which a digital photo is stored. Beginning in late 2007, two fingerprints will also be stored in the new passports.

In addition to security against forgery and an easier identification, the e-passport expedites ID checks, thus easing international travel. Moreover, the ability of law enforcement to track down wanted persons is improved.

International Security Standards

With the new passport, Germany is implementing an international agreement to increase the security of international travel through the inclusion of biometric features in passports. The legal basis for introducing new passports within the European Union is an EU regulation which entered into force in January. Germany is one of the first EU states to introduce the new passport.

Personal Data Protected against Abuse

An important requirement in designing the new passport was to observe data-privacy rights. Digital signatures ensure the integrity of the biometric data. An effective guard against access prevents the chip from being read unnoticed. The data are also encoded when transmitted between chip and electronic reader. The biometric data will not be stored in a central database.

Implementation without Red Tape

Introduction of the new passports has been made easy for the citizenry. Passports that have already been issued will remain valid for up to 10 years, also after November 1, 2005. The technical expenses associated with production of the new passports will increase the cost of a passport to 59 euros for passports valid for up to 10 years. That amounts to 5.90 euros per year.

For young people, the passports will be valid for only five years, due to the expected changes in their physical features, and will cost only 37.50 euros.

For German citizens interested in the specific technology used in the e-passport, the German Federal Office for Security in Information Technology has been offering an e-passport service since June 2005. It can be accessed at epass@bsi.bund.de or via a hotline at 01805-274 00, from 8 am to 5 pm (12 ct/min.). For other e-passport issues, the German Federal Ministry of the Interior has created a Website at
www.ePass.de.
In addition to numerous downloads, a list of "Most Frequently Asked Questions" and answers concerning the e-passport is available. This Website also contains a link to the Foreign Office Website, where the immigration rules and regulations of other countries — for example, the United States —are regularly updated.

Link

Biometrische Daten in deutschen Reisepässen

November 7, 2005

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