Interpass

Interpass is a term used in several domains to denote a mediator or intermediary mechanism that enables access, authorization, or mediation across different systems, networks, or social spheres. The term is not tied to a single canonical definition.

In transportation policy and smart-city discourse, an interpass is a proposed universal transit pass designed to be interoperable across agencies, cities, or modes of transport. Proponents argue it would simplify travel, consolidate digital credentials, and improve data sharing for planning. Critics raise concerns about privacy, governance, and the risk of vendor lock-in.

In computing and networking, interpass describes a middleware layer or gateway that mediates interactions between heterogeneous systems. Functions may include identity verification, policy enforcement, routing, and audit logging. By centralizing cross-system trust, interpasses can simplify development and security management, but they can also become single points of failure or targets for attacks.

In philosophy and media studies, interpassivity is a related concept describing how media or objects act on behalf of individuals, substituting for direct action. The term Interpass has occasionally appeared to denote concrete implementations or artifacts that embody this outsourcing of agency, such as automated interfaces or performative technologies.

Interpass is an umbrella term rather than a fixed concept; different communities use it with varying meanings. Related topics include interpassivity.