Cloud passport, also known as digital passport, may soon enter a trial stage in Australia and New Zealand, allowing the citizens from both countries to travel and be recognized at the border without being obliged to show any physical documents.
The push for a cloud passport came as a result of the recently concluded diplomacy-focused hackathon that occurred in the office of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Canberra. Endorsed by Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop, the cloud passport system is predicted to eventually rollout worldwide over time.
"Australia prides itself on having one of the most secure passports in the world, but by embracing and harnessing new technologies, we might be able to do better," said Bishop. "We're in discussions with New Zealand and if we're able to put in place the appropriate requirements, including security, then it's something we'd like to trial and implement."
The cloud passport will reportedly store significant information on government servers which can likewise be accessed through electronic means by border agencies. The stored digital information will aid travelers when they cross the border by matching the data with biometrics such as fingerprint or digital image.
The system of identifying a traveler through biometrics has increased its popularity worldwide. Countries such as the U.S., Japan and Malaysia are just some that rely on fingerprints in order to properly identify a traveler. Likewise, Australia and New Zealand depend on a computer algorithm which works by analyzing the traveler's facial features and compare them with his passport image using SmartGate.
Currently, Australians have access to ePassports which had been issued beginning in 2005. This type of passport is said to have a chip which contains information about the owner that include his photo, sex, name and passport number. The ePassport, used in combination with the SmartGate technology, allows the traveler to enter a county after his live image is compared and eventually confirmed, eliminating the need to speak to a customs officer.
Another advantage seen by the proponents of the system is the possibility that it will eliminate the issue of receiving reports on lost and stolen passports. Last year, at least 38,718 cases of lost and stolen passports had been reported [pdf] by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
DFAT is yet to provide other details that surround the proposed cloud passport system which is now being discussed to enter a trial phase. These would include the type of information to be stored, the timeline on its implementation, and the security measures needed in order to protect cloud-based data.
