e-passports — a challenge

With the modification in the governance, the introducing e-portals and e-documents have eased the hectic procedures for the common man. However, the fresh initiative of the government to introduce e-passports has brought the public in tizzy as there are apprehensions of the data theft as well as the other security issues.
With an aim to curb the fake passport menace as well ensuring smoother travel to the people, the government has planned to launch the new generation e-passport, which will comprise secure biometric data and ensure smooth passage through immigration posts globally. An e-Passport contains an electronic chip, which holds the information that is printed on the passport’s data page.
However, as soon as the government has made its announcement with regard to its launch, the people from different sections have raised an alarm over what they termed as possible data theft and other security issues.
Although the government has made it clear that all these concerns will be addressed prior to the launch of the new initiative, there is a need to ensure the data is protected from the people, who are involved in cyber crimes all across the globe.
The e-passport may help the government as well as the people in certain ways, but its repercussions must not be ignored well on the time. The seemingly better initiative must ensure that the data is protected and checked through suitable keys only as some reports suggest that Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) can be skimmed through the appropriate technology.
Given the sensitivity of the matter, the introduction of new initiatives must not land the people as well as the government in trouble; therefore, the government’s tech-savvys must ensure that the future challenges are averted by using strong and protected keys in this regard.
The government agencies are presently facing a challenge in dealing with the situation and preventing the possible data theft. Nonetheless, if the security concerns continue to keep the pot boiling, the government should consider addressing them prior to going ahead with the new initiative so that the things are settled.