ORG Issue: RFID

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags are tiny chips that can be attached, implanted, or inserted into physical objects. Unpowered versions can broadcast their information (usually a unique identifier, although the information can be much more detailed than that) over 20 feet. Powered versions can go much further. RFID can be a great technology when used to track things that are not carried by humans, however when placed on items that are carried by people there are many human rights issues. Information can easily be scanned from RFIDs without the owner’s knowledge. ORG supports strong legal controls and full disclosure on the use of RFIDs.

Further resources:

Latest RFID news

Dilemmas of Privacy and Surveillance

Posted by Glyn on March 26th, 2007 in categories Identity, Privacy, RFID 1 Comment »

The Royal Academy of Engineering has just released a report entitled Dilemmas of Privacy and Surveillance Challenges of Technological Change. The report focuses on areas where the developments in IT have had a particularly significant impact on personal privacy. It gives examples of some of the harm that can be done by exposing people to [...]

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New hi-tech passports cracked

Posted by Suw Charman on November 17th, 2006 in categories Data Protection, Identity, Privacy, RFID No Comments »

Great piece in The Guardian about how Adam Laurie and No2ID’s Phil Booth cracked the new hi-tech passport RIFD chips. If you weren’t worried about these new passports before, you should be:
Within minutes of applying the three passports to the reader, the information from all of them has been copied and the holders’ images [...]

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Big Brother is tracking you

Posted by Suw Charman on August 10th, 2005 in categories Automatic Vehicle Tracking, RFID 8 Comments »

Wired reports on a Department for Transport pilot scheme to test RFID chipped car numberplates here in the UK, with battery powered chips that can broadcast their identity up to 300ft. Considering that we don’t have that many toll bridges or roads here, and the congestion charge is limited to London, I wonder what the [...]

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