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Basic access control
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<p>Basic access control (BAC) is a mechanism specified to ensure only authorized parties can wirelessly read personal information from <a href="/facts/Passport/jr95DKxC">passports</a> with an <a href="/facts/RFID/4CnmIV2b">RFID</a> chip. It uses data such as the passport number, date of birth and expiration date to negotiate a session key. This key can then be used to encrypt the communication between the passport's chip and a reading device. This mechanism is intended to ensure that the owner of a passport can decide who can read the electronic contents of the passport. This mechanism was first introduced into the German passport on 1 November 2005 and is now also used in many other countries (e.g., <a href="/facts/United_States_passport/oI2Ga0nf">United States passports</a> since August 2007). </p>