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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [TECHNOLOGY]

2 clusters · 2 sources · 19 days · First seen · Last updated

German BSI guidance on passport chip security

Overview

The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) has addressed public concerns regarding the potential for unauthorized data skimming from electronic passports and identity cards.

Responding to online suggestions that travelers should wrap documents in aluminum foil to block electromagnetic signals, the BSI stated that such measures are unnecessary. The agency explained that modern travel documents employ security protocols, including Password Authenticated Connection Establishment (PACE) and Basic Access Control (BAC), which prevent chips from being read without direct, intentional access.

For individuals seeking extra security, the BSI recommended using specialized RFID protection sleeves rather than aluminum foil.

Entities

Federal Office for Information Security · Germany

Timeline

  1. [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    German authorities dismiss foil wrapping for passports

    The German Federal Office for Information Security states that wrapping passports in aluminum foil to prevent chip skimming is unnecessary due to built-in security protocols like PACE.

  2. [TECHNOLOGY] 4 sources
    BSI clarifies passport chip security and RFID protection

    The German Federal Office for Information Security states that aluminum foil is unnecessary for protecting passports from unauthorized chip reading, citing built-in PACE and BAC security mechanisms.

Sources

chip.de · inside-digital.de