From form DS-11 for my U.S. passport renewal: Early in 2005, the U.S. Department of State will begin issuing a new type of passport containing an embedded electronic chip and called an "Electronic Passport". Issuance of this new passport will be phased in during an 18-month period. It is expected that by mid-2006 nearly all U.S. passports will be issued in this new format. The new passport will not require special handling or treatment, but like previous versions should be protected from extreme bending and from immersion in water. The electronic chip must be read using specially formatted readers, and is not susceptible to unauthorized reading.
Well, if the government says so, then it must be true. :-S Any ideas on safeguarding the illicit chip once I've received my passport? -janelane, warily Inconceivable! | 
