One bright spot: TSA has opened its PreCheck program to international flights, giving expedited screening to trusted travelers enrolled in the program for overseas trips.

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It already runs an invitation-only program for trusted product reviewers, Amazon Vine, whose members receive free products in exchange for a commitment to review 80% or more of them.

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DeviceFidelity has recently launched a partnership program allowing application and Trusted Service Manager system developers to upgrade their NFC solutions by adding support for the In2Pay microSD.

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But U.S. citizens can also join by applying for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Global Entry program -- a "trusted traveler" scheme in which individuals sign up to be vetted in order to expedite the customs process on arrival into the country from abroad.

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Australia is now allowing U.S. trusted travelers to access their newly implemented SmartGate program on a trial basis without any additional registration requirements so long as participants meet the criteria I have listed below.

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