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Can your privacy be protected with the implementation of RFID chips in your passport? I spawn this question based on a decision made today (well over the months anyway) to have RFID chip implants on all U.S. Passports starting in October 2006. The RFID chips with their 64KB of storage have the capability of storing your name, address, SSN, birth date, etc. all of which can be retrieved wirelessly with the right equipment. It has been well demonstrated that the ability to receive this information is possible with a “high powered” antenna and receiver.
This issue has created a heated debate which has shown negative comments greater than 98% from the every day John and Jane Doe like you and me. Despite such opposition the measure passes and it becomes “law”. Now for myself I don’t oppose advances in technology, but the large opposition leads to questions as to why so many people would be against this technology that could ultimately strengthen the security of our borders?
The concept and intent of this I do believe is a good one. I won’t fall into the same line as the conspiracy theorists that believe the government wants to implement such devices to invade our privacy. The government already has all they ever wanted to know about me, if I wanted to hide my identity my parents should have helped me out with that at my birth. I do however believe that the implementation of such technology carelessly will allow others to invade your privacy. This is exactly where most opposition comes from.
CNET News.com writes:
“To address Americans’ concerns about ID theft, the Bush administration said the new passports will be outfitted with “antiskimming material” in the front cover to “mitigate” the threat of the information being surreptitiously scanned from afar. It’s not clear, though, how well the technique will work against high-powered readers that have been demonstrated to read RFID chips from about 160 feet away.”
I picked up quickly on the statement that the “antiskimming material” will mitigate, not prevent obtaining this data. I also dislike the reasoning in play that this is merely being implemented to adopt a global standard. That is all well and good, but wouldn’t one think that this technology should be well protected and “bullet-proof” before implementing?
This is always a disturbing aspect of many levels of government. Rather than doing the right thing the project is driven by a timeline and goal without readjustment. Questions are being posed such as:
- How well does this “antiskimming” material work?
- Is “skimming” prevented when the jacket is open?
- How strong is the encryption?
I have a fairly strong project management background, but I would prefer to classify this in the bucket of common sense. Why not pilot a program such as this or perform a greater level of research and implementation of protective design before potentially exposing such a large mass of people. Last year alone there were over 8.8 million passports issued in the U.S. which is a 1.5 million increase over 2003 and I can only estimate based on the stats that this number will grow year over year.
I get fired up when I consider the level of risk that exists here, yet the careless demeanor of the administration dictates that we should do this in an effort to achieve international standardization and work the bugs out as we go.
Sources:
CNET News.com article
U.S. Department of State – Statistics
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>> Now for myself I don’t oppose advances in technology, but the large opposition leads to questions as to why so many people would be against this technology that could ultimately strengthen the security of our borders?
RFID-reading equipment is available on the open market – would you want YOUR personal information (stored in the passport) to be surreptitiously accessed by whomever was nearby?
If it can be read without your knowing it, then you’re in BIG trouble. If the information is digitally encrypted and PRINTED on a page that needs to be SCANNED to be checked then your best defense to NOT having the information read by others is to KEEP it in your pocket until the authorities request it.
Printed encryption WITHIN the passport is preferable because the only one who can access it is the person HOLDING it, and not the felon with an RFID reader in his briefcase across the room.
P.S. – nifty site! I followed a link from http://www.thedaily.com.
Perhaps it is a silly question but why do we need this?
A follow up question to “Solitas”, how could this ultimately strengthen the security of our borders? Those entering our country illegal are not stopping to show their passports and those that represent a threat will be prepared with the correct required documents. “George Orwell” was right, he was just a few years off with his prediction.
I’m fully against transmitting my SSN to anyone with a radio reciever. I make a hobby of war driving, and accessing people’s wireless nodes; even if they have WEP it’s not hard to get into. If I can do that, and I do just for fun, how much more effort will a person go to to get my name, address, and SSN so he can open a credit card in my name?
No encryption scheme is unbeatable. It’s just a matter of time.
All this potential security risk gains us what? Not making us safer (if you can hack the encryption, you can replicate it … that’s for the ones trying to use legal means of entry). I think that it’s only purpose is make the jobs of the people at the customs desk easier.
Bad trade.
All comments fully support the huge disapproval of this “idea” that is soon to be reality. The only thing that makes me even slightly at ease is that my own passport does not expire for another 9 years. So hopefully I can avoid the risk that exists, unless of course they come out with a mandatory renewal policy which wouldn’t sureprise me.
However, it is likely that 9 million new applicants the 12 months following October 2006 will be put at unnecessary risk.
I’m not real big on the Government being this involved in my life…I disagree with “cradle to grave” involvement unlike most Left wing Political groups. However, those of you who are against this Passport tracking system….what’s your opinion on Government contolled healthcare (socialized medicine)? I think somewhere it was said…. Once Government controls your healthcare…they control…..YOU. Seems to me if you oppose this Passport tracking…you would most definately oppose….Government controlled healthcare ?
I’m a British Citizen (official classification) and we already have these chips in our passports. The information leaflet that comes with it says it only has the same information that is printed on the page with the photo.
This doesn’t (in our case anyway) have our address or National Insurance (equiv to your SSN) number printed on it.
Sure! Provide the necessary information. But leave out my Social Security Number. They will eventually have to call it a Social Number due to the lack of Security involved. Having information in a required passport that can be electronically “pick-pocketed” by RF signals and then used to ruin my financial future isn’t my idea of security. Why safeguard a nation by making that nation’s safety null and void? I’d kinda rather the would-be theif to have to win the fight before stealing from me rather than being an electronic coward.
Couldn’t you just wash your pass port or smash the thing with a hammer.
again read the last page of 1984 all these changes will be in place in the year 2050
Two words. Control Freaks. I’m with Alan and the rest of the opposition. Where does it end?!? AAHHH
Enter your reply text here. OK
It doesn’t matter if the people are against it. The secratary of state and and border officials are not elected so what do they care.
Has this been started or is it just proposed?
I’d like to hear the reason of support for the stupid sounding RDIF passports.
I have one of these in my passport – at least, I assume I do, as I got a new U. S. passport after October of 2006 – and so far my identity has not been stolen in any way. Also, now that it’s mentioned, international travel does seem to be a bit less of a hassle than it was with my old passport; I’m not sure whether there’s a correlation. Although I would probably have been mildly opposed to the idea had I heard about it some five years ago or so, being as I am uncomfortable with most electronic devices and methods of identification, I have no objections to it now and have noticed no infringements upon either my freedom or my privacy.