RFID Driver's Licenses Debated

[Techie News Service]

Virginia legislators are weighing a plan to add biometric data and radio signal emitting chips to licenses to prevent identity theft and thwart terrorists. Critics say the plan could compromise privacy and allow new varieties of fraud to flourish. By Mark Baard.{br}{br}View the Entire Article (http://www.wired.com/news/privacy/0,1848,65243,00.html?tw=rss.TOP){br}

[Steve]

I'm ambivalent but the supporters are missing one crucial fact: if a driver license is obtained using falsified documents that are not checked for validity, then putting RFID tags in the licenses is like closing the barn door after the horse has gotten out.

[cdw]

"Putting a chip or biometric data on a driver's license doesn't change one iota the rules under which that information can be used,"
That's legal use he is talking about and that's only for right now.
God, this reminds me of a movie I saw, I forget the name of it, where they could predict who was going to commit a crime.
I would fight this one. :)

[FrankF]

Because information on RFID tags can be picked up from many feet away, licenses would not have to be put directly into a reader device. If there was any suspicion that a person was not who he claimed to be, ID checkers could take him aside for fingerprinting or a retinal scan.

And... the tags could be picked up many miles away too. If enough receiving antennas were spread out all over, authorities could use triangulation techniques to pinpoint a persons location at any time. :eek:

[cdw]

Yeah. And that's none of their damned business! If we are supposed to be so scared as to go this far, we are in deeeeeep doo-doo.

[Fiona]

If a driver license is obtained using falsified documents that are not checked for validity, then putting RFID tags in the licenses is like closing the barn door after the horse has gotten out.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

*pulls twig out from between teeth and says in her best redneck drawl... "I'm again' it!"

[IamZed]

A public receiver could examine the ID of every passerby. It could highlight people who aren’t carrying ID. At what point have you been illegally searched? I think it is at the point the receiver is installed. Biometrics are fine, just a modern extension of the mandatory photograph. Demanding RFID is demanding you produce your ID at all times, not just carry it.

[ethics]

If you can get a hold of the new Queue Magazine, it has a special report on RFID tech.

Also the streensavers crew were able to beat out fingerprinting technology with melted gummy bears.

[Fiona]

Demanding RFID is demanding you produce your ID at all times, not just carry it.I'm trying real hard not to pull out the Book of Revelations, here... rofl

It's so tempting... but no, no Bible Thumping from me. I do however offer it up as a cross reference with the daily news :)