Have heard about the chip that are now being inserted in passports by the government? Kinda scary!!
Supposedly, because its a new thing and not fool-proof, your identity can be stolen if someone (who isn't supposed to) reads the knowledge. Also, it can be done at anytime, so you could be tracked and not even knowing it.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...091500923.html
I have a professor who suggested to take a hammer to your passport to disable the chip.
Makes sense.. although you aren't supposed to tamper with your passport.
I wish I had gotten mine renewed before Jan. 1.