NO2ID

...and I was surprised to also receive a leaflet with it that told me my new passport was a biometric one. What does this mean? I am worried that I have been put onto the National identity database without realising it. Does anyone know?

Thanks.

You're OK - you haven't been put on the National Identity Register, because there isn't one (yet).

The Home Office has re-interpreted "Biometric" to mean "we put a digital copy of your photo on the chip in the passport". Nothing more.

Phew...thanks very much!

Yes, but will the information he illicited as part of his application be added to the NIR when it is up and running?

No as I understand it the IPS is deleting information after successful application. I think Andrew mentioned it on another thread.

Is it possible to geta defintive answer on this question?

I only ask as my Mum hasn't yet renewed her passport and is concerned that if she does so now, the information she supplies will be added to the NIR after it's been set up.

I bothered to ring the Passport service's helpline to enquire about this and the first thing the asked me was:

"Am I a member of the Press"?

They're clearly very jumpy about this entire issue.

At the moment, information gathered will be deleted. At some point in the future (possibly tomorrow), it will be retained and entered on the NIR.

The best advice for everyone is renew NOW. Every day you wait increases the risk. The Home Office won't announce a change of policy beforehand.

I too renewed last year before I needed too. I was horrified to receive a biometric passport, complete with chip and antenna.

Whilst I am pleased to have avoided the NIR for now, I find having a chip and antenna highly objectionable, for many reasons.

Is there a way to renew again and get a non-chip passport? Or once you are "on" is that it?
Thanks

I'm afraid all passports are chipped now. You can buy cover to make it more difficult for people to 'skim' data from your chip. I found a supplier the other day but I'll have to look up the website later.

Thanks- I'd be interested to see details on that.

I didn't realise they are ALL chipped now. Boo!

Just wrap it in foil, creating a 'faraday cage' of sorts.

Or if you really want to splash out:

http://magellans.co.uk/store/Totes__Purses___Billfolds___Document_OrganizersLB913?Args=

Trin

zap it in the microwave.

Why yes of course, why hadnt we thought of that? Because it has the potential to damage your passport if you do it wrong and besides that once its discovered that your chip no longer works they will no doubt require you to get a new passport, which kinda defeats the purpose of renewing for freedom dont ya think?

The passport is still valid even if the chip doesn't work. I think the problem with zapping it is the risk of your passport being scorched or bursting into flames, and then you really would need a new one.

I have also recently rcvd my new passport with the RFID. I assumed this meant I was now on the NIR. Assurances that I am not will cut no ice with me. The only thing that would convince me would be if there was evidence that the NIR does not exist yet.

Proving a negative is pretty difficult.

However, since you have your new passport but were not required to be enrolled on the NIR I think your assumption that your RFID-enabled passport meant you were on the register is incorrect. Your data will be held in databases associated with the passport but that is not the same thing as the NIR.

Of course, there's no real evidence that the NIS/NIR Database System does yet exist.

I suppose that underneath all the 'chatter' in and around Jacqui Smith et al., secretly, and funded by devious means, the whole infrastructure has been specified, tendered, contracted, and been built and been operating without a peep. And without anyone knowingly being 'biometric'd' ........

The databases need to be built, and the software written, let alone the capture and collection devices for fingerprints, iris scans, etc., before even a creeping roll-out is realistic and practical. ID Cards for everyone except EU/EEA Nationals will of necessity, if they do start rolling out later this year, be fairly basic.

Still, I wouldn't underestimate their stupidity. They might well go for a soft launch without a workable or scalable system ..... just to show that it's happening, harmless, and be able to trump yet another successful 'grand projet' under the wide and benevolent / malevolent leadership of the Great Helmsman, the head of our Parliamentary dictatorship .......... Anyone for the Lord Protector Gordon Brown, who always knows what is best for us?

Instead of microwaving,exposing the chip to a strong magnet might bugger it up without setting fire to the passport.

don't bugger the chip! shield it!

bugger it and you may need to renew sooner rather than later, which is probably NOT what you really want!

Shield it to prevent Identiy theft.

make your shield obvious so people ask why!

With a very very strong emphasis on the "might".
There is absolutely no guarantee that a magnet will have this effect - if any - and depends on you waving the magnet close enough and fast enough. This is why people have gone to the trouble of designing e.g. the disposable-camera zapper.

The effect of a magnetic field on these is dependent on its strength and rate of change. Sorry, but urban myth (I have yet to see proof) is no substitute for physics.

Far better to shield it properly than be told you have to go and get a new one.

I do not want to go to the expense of using my new Passport to check out if any of this is true.

https://events.ccc.de/congress/2005/sta ... -Zapper(EN)_77f3.html

but in view of the possible consequences later, I shield mine.

If the Killer tags are a reality, just imagine placing one of those near an official passport control location...

A whole planeload of defective IDs.

I do not condone this, I just what to show what can be done, which the Powers that Be do not tell you.

I repeat: DO NOT DO THIS!

Kilgore, the link on your post doesn't seem to work.

This is quite scary.

If people begin to think that Biometric simply means a photo, they may not be so hostile towards REAL biometrics. It seems like they're trying to cloud the issue to confuse people even more.

Exactly as planned. Clouding an issue isn't a new thing in politics.