The fact that these are exceptionally easy to hack freaks me out. RFID chips aren't secure at all - you walk past a scanner with your passport slightly open, and boom! Someone has snatched up all of your data. There are some websites that suggest disabling the chips or somehow mangling your own passport (or at least offer instructions), but even doing that in the interest of self protection can pose serious legal issues since most passports are technically government property. Then again, your passport with a non-working chip will still be legal.

thanks