RFID Passports and Protection

New requirements for US passports are being implemented. The US Government requires that the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) device be installed and by the end of October 2006 all new US passports should have the devices.

There is a great deal of discussion about the ethics and safety of using RFID and the potential for abuse by government or criminal entities. I have listed some suggested reading links (both sides of the issue) below.

Here I want to draw your attention to a wallet or passport portmanteau that can be used to protect your credit cards, passports or other items that already contain RFID devices. The wallet is a simple design, lined with material that prevents the transmission of radio frequencies.

An RFID signal is continuously available, making personal information available to any nearby reader device. The company that makes the protective wallets suggests such protections is valuable to prevent snooping criminals from obtaining your personal information unlawfully.

Check out the wallet at DIFR Wear. (I do not make any claims to the reliability of the product or the company. They are on backorder; when available, I might try one myself.)

Note that RFID is used regularly in industry and may make manufacture and transport more efficient. Inventory control at grocery stores is commonly cited as a good use of the device. Tracking lost bags at airports and across the world might be another good reason. For a discussion of the myriad uses, see Tag Production, Inform Customers How RFID is Used, RFID Gets under My Skin and SFO Prepares for RFID.

But the one question that burns in my mind though, is: "Are we prepared to be scanned like supermarket items?"

For the ongoing controversy over the use of RFID, read the following articles.

RFID Journal: On the benefits of RFID technology in industry, manufacturing and so forth.
Amherst Times: On the use of RFID technology in medicine and helping non-responsive patients
Computerworld: EU concerns about the use of RFID technology
Engadget: US issues first RFID passports
Engadget: Dutch passport with RFID cracked and decrypted (Watch the Dutch TV show--the cracking occurs at about 6:40; the explanation is that the numbers are sequential and connected to the expiration date)
CNet News: A Montana Supreme Court judge muses on the dangers of tracking information

One last note. If you feel that you really do need a prophylactic sort of wallet, you might take the advice of Dustin Kirk's homemade approach using the ever-present and now, seemingly, ever-necessary, duct tape.

For traveler information, including US Department of State Passport information, check out my Travel Links.

Tom
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