CyberHappenings logo
☰
Home Browse Watchlists Experimental About

Track cybersecurity events as they unfold. Sourced timelines. Filter, sort, and browse. Fast, privacy‑respecting. No invasive ads, no tracking.

Ireland recalls 13,000 passports due to software-induced printing defect

First reported
Last updated
1 unique sources, 1 articles

Summary

Hide ▲

Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs has recalled nearly 13,000 passports issued between December 23, 2025, and January 6, 2026, due to a software update that caused a printing defect. The error results in missing 'IRL' codes, making the passports non-compliant with international travel standards and potentially unreadable at automated border gates. The government has issued a global alert through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and initiated a mass re-issuance program. Affected passport holders are being asked to return their documents for free replacement, with new passports to be issued within approximately 10 working days. The defect is suspected to affect the machine-readable zone (MRZ), where the issuing-state code is mandatory under ICAO Doc 9303.

Timeline

  1. 10.01.2026 12:27 1 articles · 23h ago

    Ireland recalls 13,000 passports due to software-induced printing defect

    Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs has recalled nearly 13,000 passports issued between December 23, 2025, and January 6, 2026, due to a software update that caused a printing defect. The error results in missing 'IRL' codes, making the passports non-compliant with international travel standards and potentially unreadable at automated border gates. The government has issued a global alert through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and initiated a mass re-issuance program. Affected passport holders are being asked to return their documents for free replacement, with new passports to be issued within approximately 10 working days.

    Show sources
    Open in new tab

Information Snippets

  • The printing error was caused by a software update that affected passports issued between December 23, 2025, and January 6, 2026.

    First reported: 10.01.2026 12:27
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • The missing 'IRL' code in the machine-readable zone (MRZ) may cause passports to fail at eGates and border control systems worldwide.

    First reported: 10.01.2026 12:27
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • The government has issued a global alert through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and initiated a mass re-issuance program.

    First reported: 10.01.2026 12:27
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • Affected passport holders are being asked to return their documents for free replacement, with new passports to be issued within approximately 10 working days.

    First reported: 10.01.2026 12:27
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • The MRZ is the two-line block of text at the bottom of the passport's bio page that is scanned by airline systems, border control kiosks, and eGates.

    First reported: 10.01.2026 12:27
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources