NANTES, Aug 11 (UPDATE: Expatica) – The US Department of State announced today a timeframe for issuing electronic passports that supporters say will improve the government's ability to protect its borders and critics say are a dangerous step towards a Big Brother-like surveillance society.

The state department has publicized its plans to issue 'biometric' passports for some time; today the department solidified the calendar for issuing such passports, which will combine facial recognition technology, a radio-frequency chip that contains all the information written on the inside cover of the passport, and a digital signature intended to prevent unauthorized alterations.

The department confirmed that it will issue the first such passports this December, as anticipated. The current plan calls for all domestic passport agencies to issue them by October 2006. In anticipation of this changeover, the National Passport Center tacked on a $12 surcharge in March 2005 for all passport renewals; renewal by mail now costs $67 or $97 if you have to show up in person.

The departments of state and homeland security have been conducting tests this summer of the e-passports in cooperation with the governments of Australia and New Zealand. Airline crew and officials from United Airlines, Air New Zealand and Qantas Airlines have been carying e-passports for flights between Sydney Airport and Los Angeles International. Department spokespeople did not indicate the results of the tests.

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