RFID Safety and Security Issues

Safety Considerations with RFID Technology.

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification.  RFID readers or transporters are electronic devices that send out a signal that alerts and activates the RFID chip in your license.  They communicate with each other through radio waves.  The chip in the card does not need to have direct or "swipe" contact with the reader and these frequencies have a range of about 30 feet on average.

Keep in mind:

•  If you are crossing borders, your movements will be verified and recorded (i.e. tracked) by the request customs makes through the data base once your license passes the reader.  Abusers work in many systems.  The system is housed with the department of licensing with access granted to customs.

• DOL will provide a security sleeve to protect the RFID tag from being activated when you are not at a boarder crossing station.  If your license is not in the sleeve, your unique ID number can be captured by anyone with a reader that is in range of your license.  WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE.  Your chip won't beep or alert you that it is being activated. 

• Applicants are supposed to be informed of the RFID and its purpose, content and security. Ask who has access to the information, how long the information is to be stored - like how many times you cross the border and when?  If there is a security breach - will I be notified?  how will I be notified? If I become a victim of stalking, how do I get out of the database?

• RFID is also imbedded in passports as of August 2007.  Passports store more personal information than a unique identifier on each chip.

• Be aware, RFID tags can be cloned.  Google it and see.

To see a videos about RFID or learn more about this technology and how it is used, click on this link to spychips.com.