"This fall, the State Department is rolling out new passports that will use biometric technology to guarantee the person holding one is who he's supposed to be."

"Embedded with computer chips that hold a traveler's digitized photo and fingerprints, the new passports will be scanned by customs agents at an airport or border crossing, popping up a photo on a screen."

"At the same time, the traveler will touch an inkless scanner to make sure the fingerprints match the ones in the chip."

"The technology was once dismissed as futuristic, too expensive and an unnecessary invasion of privacy. But that changed with Sept. 11, 2001."

"And last week, the federal 9/11 commission's report on the attacks focused on broadening the use of biometrics to protect the nation."

"Only those applying for new passports will get the chip. Others would have the chip added when their passports expire."

I guess I am lucky my pasasport doesn't expire until 2011....?

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/215642p-185508c.html

Same technology already bundled with the PortPass.

E