e-Passports to be Tested Further

The Department of Homeland Security said Friday it would begin testing "e-Passports" in the international terminal of San Francisco International Airport. The trial is a joint effort of the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Citizens of Australia and New Zealand that have been issued the new passports, as well as Singapore Airlines crew and U.S. diplomats will participate in the test.

Readers capable of scanning the electronic passports have been installed in the terminal, and Homeland Security hopes to find out if the new system would speed up the customs process. Changi Airport in Singapore and Sydney Airport in Australia are also participating.

"This test provides an important opportunity to work with our international partners to further the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to put in place an e-Passport reader solution by the fall of this year," Homeland Security's US-VISIT director Jim Williams said.

Another trial was recently completed at Los Angeles Airport, however the results indicated further testing was needed to ensure the worthiness and overall performance of the new system.

Each passport contains a biometric identifier as well as the holder's personal information that can be read off a chip inside the passport. Also, they are equipped with something called Basic Access Control, a feature that would prevent "skimming," or the unauthorized reading of information.

Such an issue worried privacy advocates when the plan was first announced last year, causing Homeland Security to add new features to block unauthorized access.

The test is expected to run through April 15. Pending its successful conclusion, the e-passports should begin to be distributed to U.S. citizens beginning later this year.