On Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:02:08 +0000
Roland Perry wrote:
"The passport's critical information is both printed on the data page
of the passport and stored in the chip."

So nothing "extra". The data concerned is required at check-in by
numerous foreign hotels, so is in effect public information.

I never said it was anything extra. But you don't normally leave your
passport open on the details page and let strangers photocopy it which
is the equivalent of what the RFID allows.

BS. RFID can be read from a few metres away as long as you can direct
enough power at the chip to power it up.

Which needs a large (directional) aerial.

Not necessarily. The point is it doesn't have to be in contact which the
reader. Someone could brush past you even with a low powered reader and
still grab the info. Its been done with Oyster cards so it could be done
with passports.

B2003