Friday, January 11, 2008

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is used today in car keys, highway tolls and mass transit cards. It is wrong to assert that using vicinity RFID technology in passport cards and other travel documents is "fundamentally weakening border security and privacy" ["Electronic Passports Raise Privacy Issues," news story, Jan. 1].

With more than 300 million yearly land border crossings, seconds count. As the State Department said, the RFID documents allow the exchange and verification of information to begin before the traveler reaches the inspection booth, a proven practice in cross-border traveler programs for more than 10 years.

We take seriously the protection of privacy.

The passport card will not contain or transmit any personally identifiable information. The chip sends a number that has meaning only to a secure database. Further, the cards will contain shields to counter any possible skimming and tracking.

These and other efforts provide a significant level of privacy protection, border security and traveler convenience.

KATHY KRANINGER

Director of the Screening

and Coordination Office

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Washington