But as the implementation and testing gets underway it is becoming clear that there could be some serious problems.

The chip inside the e-Passport is a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip, the same type poised to replace the barcode in supermarkets. They emit radio signals that can be read at a short distance by an electronic reader. DN-Systems consulting recently demonstrated to the BBC how, with a 200 Euro reader found on E-bay, they can download the data to their computer and then write it to a new, blank RFID chip to create a perfect digital clone. When the cloned e-Passport is read and compared to the original one it behaves exactly the same.

The UK Home Office however dismissed the ability to get hold of the information on the chip. A spokesman said: "It is hard to see why anyone would want to access the information on the chip. Being able to copy this does not mean that the passport can be forged or imitated for illegal or unauthorized use."

This is the same hack we've seen repeatedly demonstrated in Germany, the US, The Netherlands, Ireland, ect. British e-passports unlike those issued by other countries, do not currently store fingerprint scans in the chip and the encryption is just one aspect of the passport's overall security. However, with these mechanisms also circumvented, shouldn't the government officials be just a tad concerned?

e-Passports 'At Risk' From Cloning