Australia wants to be the first country to trial Cloud Passport

Beside the fact that Australians are already able to travel around the world to some select destinations via biometric passports that store personal information, allowing them to travel effortlessly and quickly through a SmartGate, virtual technology and cloud-stored data technology are enabling the development of a cloud passport system that would make Australians' travel even easier and safer.

A cloud passport could be compared with a e-passport that contains personal information such as biometric data, a digital photo, and other identification. It will eliminate travellers' need of carrying real passports with them, at the mean time reduce the risk of missing or stolen passports. Statistics from the DFAT show that 38,718 passports were reported lost or stolen in 2014-15 in Australia. (http://www.gq.com.au)

Below are few points travellers may want to know about cloud passports.

1. What does it mean?
The implementation of cloud passport system will be limited for the travel between Australia and New Zealand at the beginning, Australians will be able to have passport-less travel when flying to New Zealand. It does have the potential to go globally in the future.

2. How does it work?
The system will save your information in a cloud. Your biometric and identity information will be stored online, the so called cloud passport will replace the physical passport you normally carry with you.

3. The security of passport details.
Being expected as a really safe and convenient system for travellers, the safety of cloud passport system itself is important. Appropriate security requirements are to be put in place before the implementation of the system.

4. Where does the idea come from?
To solve the problem of missing and stolen passports, which counts for 38,718 in 2014-15, the Australia government wants to move from hard copy passports to digital ones. The idea came out in the InnovationXchange project designed by Ms Bishop as a way to 'support innovation across the Australian aid program'.

Source:

http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/tech-trends-shaping-the-future-of-travel/

http://www.australiannationalreview.com/australia-country-trial-passportfree-travel/

http://www.gq.com.au/entertainment/tech/7+facts+you+need+to+know+about+the+cloud+passport,39973

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3294127/Australia-world-s-country-trial-travel-without-PASSPORT-Julie-Bishop-says-global.html