Department of Homeland Security and RFID - Best Buddies

By Brian White
TheWirelessReport
Feb. 25, 2006

In what is sure to raise the hackles of privacy advocates and paranoid consumers everywhere, it's being reported that the Department of Homeland Security is considering RFID technology to track individuals in a passive fashion. By being able to "spy" on private citizens on street corners and passengers in cars driving by at 55 mph, this sets off many kinds of personal privacy alarms for me alone. But, although we like to think we are private citizens, the truth is privacy has been long gone, especially in the internet age. We should still make valiant attempts to safeguard very sensitive things, but forget trying to be private, unless you want to live under a bridge and off the grid.

According to eh Department of Homeland Security request, " DHS is seeking RFID devices that "can be sensed remotely, passively, and automatically....The device must be readable under all kinds of indoor and outdoor conditions... and while carried by pedestrians or vehicle occupant". That sounds pretty scary to me folks. Instead of those foil hats from "Signs", perhaps we should we foil coats and shirts everywhere we go. Download and read this PDF for more details.