How RFID Tags Could Be Used to Track Unsuspecting People

[RuGlu6]

http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...-could-be-used


Key Concepts
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags are embedded in a growing number of personal items and identity documents.
Because the tags were designed to be powerful tracking devices and they typically incorporate little security, people wearing or carrying them are vulnerable to surreptitious surveillance and profiling.
Worldwide, legislators have done little to address those risks to citizens.


If you live in a state bordering Canada or Mexico, you may soon be given an opportunity to carry a very high tech item: a remotely readable driver’s license. Designed to identify U.S. citizens as they approach the nation’s borders, the cards are being promoted by the Department of Homeland Security as a way to save time and simplify border crossings. But if you care about your safety and privacy as much as convenience, you might want to think twice before signing up.

The new licenses come equipped with radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags that can be read right through a wallet, pocket or purse from as far away as 30 feet. Each tag incorporates a tiny microchip encoded with a unique identification number. As the bearer approaches a border station, radio energy broadcast by a reader device is picked up by an antenna connected to the chip, causing it to emit the ID number. By the time the license holder reaches the border agent, the number has already been fed into a Homeland Security database, and the traveler’s photograph and other details are displayed on the agent’s screen.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...071200705.html

Chips in official IDs raise privacy fears

By TODD LEWAN
The Associated Press
Sunday, July 12, 2009; 6:10 AM

-- Climbing into his Volvo, outfitted with a Matrics antenna and a Motorola reader he'd bought on eBay for $190, Chris Paget cruised the streets of San Francisco with this objective: To read the identity cards of strangers, wirelessly, without ever leaving his car.

It took him 20 minutes to strike hacker's gold.

Zipping past Fisherman's Wharf, his scanner downloaded to his laptop the unique serial numbers of two pedestrians' electronic U.S. passport cards embedded with radio frequency identification, or RFID, tags. Within an hour, he'd "skimmed" four more of the new, microchipped PASS cards from a distance of 20 feet.

[RuGlu6]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cufZ9l7cibU

[BC Mosaic]

I got an Enhanced Driver's License for BC.
I will not activate this card for two reasons:
1- I have to sign away my privacy to the US government (Harper you're a ......)
2- The license comes in a little aluminium lined envelope to block potential radio frequency trackers.
What a Friggin' joke and a crime against Canadians, Harper.

[golf nut]

you own a hammer don't you?

[RuGlu6]

yep, i do, hammer and a chisel too LOL

[RuGlu6]

Originally Posted by BC Mosaic

I got an Enhanced Driver's License for BC.
I will not activate this card for two reasons:
1- I have to sign away my privacy to the US government (Harper you're a ......)
2- The license comes in a little aluminium lined envelope to block potential radio frequency trackers.
What a Friggin' joke and a crime against Canadians, Harper.

x2
I agree, i think this a big privacy invasion and people should take it seriously.
Because next step is chipping babies right after they born.
At any rate i would like to be informed and mass media is NOT informing us on that at all.
For example that implantable RFID's cause cancer in mice and dogs i did not get it from TV 6pm news...
http://us2.ixquick.com/do/metasearch.pl?

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by BC Mosaic

I got an Enhanced Driver's License for BC.
I will not activate this card for two reasons:
1- I have to sign away my privacy to the US government (Harper you're a ......)
2- The license comes in a little aluminium lined envelope to block potential radio frequency trackers.
What a Friggin' joke and a crime against Canadians, Harper.

Doesn't the provincial government take care of drivers license regulation in BC not federal? EDL's aren't even available in Alberta but maybe it is different here as our licensing is privatized with the provincial gov't setting the regs.

[BC Mosaic]

OK. Sorry for the rant but it just amazes me how people are willing to bend over.

"hammer and a chisel" - How's about nuking it in a microwave (visualizing the Wicked Witch of the North saying: "Help me, I'm melting)?

[sharuq1]

I totally agree. What scares me is so many naive people will be willing to do this in the name of supposed possible terrorism. They will actually think it's not only a great thing for us all, they will condemn anyone who doesn't. It's fricking big brother...

[intarsiabox]

Well at least you have the option of activating it.... yeah right, I'm sure it is activated immediately. Is there anyway to tell if it is activated or not, I've never seen one of these cards? If it makes you feel better I've read that Walmart has more info on people than the governments do.