Previously, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had set a deadline of October 2005 for compliance, but US and European Commission officials have met to discuss accepting a secure digital photograph in lieu of the biometric passport requirements.

ENGADGET: U.S. to abandon biometric passport plans, for realz

Look, the data that will be held on computers in respect of ID cards is the data that is already held by everybody for everybody in respect of your passport, with the addition of biometric data, fingerprints for example or irises which ensures better the security of this data.

BBC: Jack Straw MP. photo courtesy Jeff Overs

Much of the cost of collecting biometric and personal data has already been shifted to the passport service, on the grounds that passports must meet tougher international standards.

ECONOMIST: Identity cards

Passengers vetted via background checks would have a biometric identifier, such as their fingerprint or iris pattern, in their passport or other travel document.

BBC: New measures in airport security