What happens if RFID system in my "biometric" travel passport malfunctions when I cross the border?
My travel passport contains the "biometric" RFID chip. While I can at any moment check that my passport itself is intact (not torn or anything) I can't check whether the chip inside is functioning as expected and whether the antenna used for powering it is intact.
Suppose I'm trying to cross the border and my passport is attempted to be accessed via RFID and the RFID system in my passport malfunctions. Now what? Am I denied entry?
Best Answer
Most smart cards have 'passive RFID' chips on them which don't require an on-board power source and thus do not have an actively transmitting antenna. They are usually powered by electromagnetic induction, i.e., placed closed to a reader that powers up the chip. Failure rates, thus, are low for passive RFID chips and more often than not a read failure occurs when the reader isn't able to pick up signals properly due to attenuation (signal weakening due to distance / material obstructions) rather than the chip on card itself failing. Other reasons could include extreme temperature variations that cause chip to contract/expand but operating range on most smart cards can work fine for -20 deg C to 50 deg C range.
TL;DR: There's no easy way to determine whether your card has failed (unless it's physically bent/damaged), but card failure is not THAT big a problem.
Most national ID smart cards also have additional security features such as holograms/watermarks to prevent counterfeits so border officials will still have a way of determining (to an extent) whether it's genuine. Even if one does fail, I'm sure immigration/border control authorities should have procedures in place, similar to those already in place for damaged paper passports.
Pictures about "What happens if RFID system in my "biometric" travel passport malfunctions when I cross the border?"
Where is the chip in my passport?
The passport chip is located in the cover of the passport. The invisible printing of the laminate fluoresces strongly. The laser perforated number consists of variable hole shapes (circle, square and triangle).What is RFID passport?
Since August 2007, all U.S. passports have come embedded with an RFID chip, intended to deter fraud and improve security. The chip contains the same information as on the passport's picture page, including a digital version of your passport photograph. (You can still use a pre-2007 passport that doesn't contain a chip.How do I read my passport chip on my Iphone?
Basic Information Passports contain basic identifying information, including surname and given names, date of birth, type of document, document code, nationality, place of birth, sex, date of passport issuance and the passport expiration date.Adam Laurie: RFIDIOts! - How to read and clone an ePassport
More answers regarding what happens if RFID system in my "biometric" travel passport malfunctions when I cross the border?
Answer 2
Most likely, the agent will scan the barcode to accomplish the same thing. If that doesn't work, the agent can type in the passport number. I would guess with a faulty RFID, they would be more likely to suspect a fake passport and ask more questions, check baggage, etc.
Answer 3
You accidentally get confused with someone on the no-fly list? :) Worst case they can scan the barcode or even enter the number manually - your face etc is still on the system, much like those who don't yet have RFID passports. There may be a few interesting questions, but you should still be allowed in.
The US is the only tricky one I can think of as they now insist on RFID chipped passports for entry into the country, but even they have backup plans.
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