If Someone Can Access Passport Files Can They Also Add or Delete Information Contained In The File?

[orleans]

i was thinking about this today when msnbc was talking about passports--how if you lived overseas there would be police records in the passport, and a lot more detail on you.

they were saying the big deal (for the most part) was that someone would have access to another person's social security number or mother's maiden name.

so, i started wondering if they can read the file can they fuck with the file? can they add shit into it that would be potentially damaging to someone? can they take out or remove something that could be potentially damaging?

anybody here on du work at the state department who would know the answer to this question?

:evilgrin:

[cynatnite]

1. I would think it would have to match the actual passport...

If it doesn't, questions would be raised.

[orleans]

3. so you're saying the information in the file matches the info in the

passport itself?

is there room in that little booklet for arrest records and a letter renouncing u.s. citizenship?

my understanding was that the file contains a lot more detailed information.

no?

[cynatnite]

6. Just making a guess here...

not claiming to be an expert on passports and how they're handled.

I do know when it comes to handling computerized medical records a log of sorts is kept indicating every time they're accessed and what changes are made. Perhaps it's something similar with passports.

[lligrd]

2. Doubtful. Write Privileges To A File Are Usually Quite Restricted

while read privileges are usually granted to anyone that has a valid reason to see the file.

[flor de jasmim]

4. "usually" being the operative word? (n/t)

[lligrd]

5. Government Agencies "Usually" Have Strict Security Rules

that would have been in place long before even * got there.

[Occulus]

12. Government agencies also "usually" have strict record retention rules

that WERE in place long before * even got there.

We know their current track record on that score.

[jmowreader]

8. Those guys DIDN'T have a valid reason to see the file...

so they probably got full read/write access.

I can't see how it would matter, though; considering that the GOP managed to turn a war hero into a traitor and coward in 2004, why would they need to add shit to Obama's or Clinton's? Just make shit up. That's how they work.

[ThomWV]

7. Go look at a passport application - that is the information that is available for change.

Has your name changed? Has your mother's name changed? Has your place of birth changed? Has your date of birth changed?

What in hell do people think is in one of these 'files' anyway? Nobody checks you into and out of our country when you show a passport, no changes are made to the 'file' when you obtain a visa.

This is just horseshit, the sky is not falling no matter how many chicken littles tell you it might be.

[soothsayer]

9. Actually there's a HUGE list of items in your passport file according to this thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5202848

arrest warrants, medical info, criminal stuff, court stuff...lots of stuff!

[orleans]

10. "What in hell do people think is in one of these 'files' anyway?"

apparently more than YOU think. don't be so quick to toss out your "horseshit" and "chicken little" remarks until you know what you're talking about.

i'll spell it out for you here in case you can't be bothered to link

Passport books and passport cards, applications for
passport books and passport cards, and applications for additional visa
pages, amendments, extensions, replacements, and/or renewals of
passport books or cards (including all information and materials
submitted as part of or with all such applications);
Applications for registration at American Diplomatic and
Consular Posts as U.S. citizens or for issuance of Cards of Identity
and Registration as U.S. Citizens;
Consular Reports of Birth Abroad of United States
citizens;
Certificates of Witness to Marriage;
Certificates of Loss of United States Nationality;
Oaths of Repatriation;
Consular Certificates of Repatriation;
Reports of Death of an American Citizen Abroad;
Cards of Identity and Registration as U.S. citizens;
Lookout files which identify those persons whose
applications for a consular or related service require other than
routine examination or action; and
Miscellaneous materials, which are documents and/or
records maintained separately, if not in the application, including but
not limited to the following types of documents:
Investigatory reports compiled in connection with granting or
denying passport and related services or prosecuting violations of
passport criminal statutes;
Transcripts and opinions on administrative hearings, appeals
and civil actions in federal courts;
Legal briefs, memoranda, judicial orders and opinions arising
from administrative determinations relating to passports and
citizenship;
Birth and baptismal certificates;
Court orders;
Arrest warrants;
Medical, personal and financial reports;
Affidavits;
Inter-agency and intra-agency memoranda, telegrams, letters,
and other miscellaneous correspondence;
An electronic index of all passport application records
created since 1978, and some passport application records created
between 1962 and 1978;
An electronic index of Department of State Reports of Birth
of American Citizens abroad; and/or
Records of lost and stolen passports.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5202848
http://cryptome.org/dos010908.htm

[Greyhound]

11. You obviously have no idea how relational databases work or how integrated

they've become within the government (and industry) over the last 20 - 30 years.

What you say is true as far as it goes, but once access is gained, the rest of the web becomes accessible. Example, I can guarantee you that there are several governmental lists that include the identities and vitals for every single member of DU, past and present.

It's not that the sky is falling, rather it is that the sky is actually an illusion painted on the ceiling of our cell.

[orleans]

13. lol--"the sky is actually an illusion painted on the ceiling of our cell."

well put.