RFID chips in drivers licenses-?

[Normy]

An RFID chip is a tiny device that when exposed to a electromagnetic radiation of a certain frequency, reflects a distinct code. That is, if a radio wave hits it, it automatically says who it is.

Useful for preventing theft in stores, these have been around for a while in one form. Another form can be used to generate an identification via discreet transmitter.

Hello? Tell me I'm not the only one here who has a slight problem with this.....

The article, from Leftlane news:

"The states of Arizona, Michigan, Vermont and Washington have announced that they — in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security — will introduce radio frequency identification (RFID) chips in drivers' licenses. The chips will be able to broadcast the holder's identity to special chip-reading devices.

"Multiple cards can be read at a distance and simultaneously with vicinity RFID technology, allowing an entire car full of people to be processed at once," a DHS fact sheet on the Passport Card technology explained.

The new licenses will also allow holders to cross the border without a passport when new regulation are enacted in January 2008. According to theNewspaper.com, the licenses can store the motorist's name, date of birth, height, weight and identity number, as well as access to additional personal information stored in the department of motor vehicles' database.

The new licenses will be initially launched as a voluntary program, but will likely soon be mandatory."

N?

[Paul_Heery]

Five to ten seconds in the microwave and the problem goes away.

[Joeaksa]

I went into the DMV a few months ago to renew my car license and was asked for my DL for proof of identify. Once they saw my old paper license it was taken and I was told in no uncertain terms that it would not be returned to me and that I was getting a new electronic one. You have no choice...

Fast forward to your and my coming through Customs everytime we return to CONUS. Guess what that metal strip is imbedded in the newer US currency? Remember the question "do you have over $10,000 in financial instrument or currency on you?" They can tell pretty close exactly how much US money you have on your person when you walk in the hall, so its better not to lie...

This is only the start. Have heard that some people have tried to defeat the chip by putting it in the microwave for a couple of seconds but not sure if thats true.

[Rick Lee]

Even if the microwave thing doesn't work, I'm sure this thing would be pretty easy to defeat. Someone will come up with some kind of sheath or cover to block anyone from reading it unless the owner wants them to do so.

[Kirk911SC]

http://www.snopes.com/business/money/strip.asp

[strupgolf]

After spending billions and billions on this project, Govt. will say they need billions more because some 14 year of kid came up with a device that twarts it. Freedoms are being eroded away every second, and I hate to think of the next 20 yrs.

[Flatbutt1]

perhaps wrapping the license in a blocker similar to the one used for EZPass toll tags would block it?

[legion]

I would think that my drill press could fix the problem.

[frogger]

While making your tin foil hats, you can use some extra foil to wrap your drivers license.

[red-beard]

All new Passports have an RFID chip in them. You can tell which ones from the outside, since they have a small symbol on them. I saw the "new" passports at the border this year while getting my tourist card and car permit for Mexico

I won't be chipped for a while, since I renewed my passport last year and it doesn't have the chip.

Quote of the year from my wife: "It is easier for an illegal to get into the US, than for a US Citizen to go into Mexico legally." This was her first time dealing with the mess of being a US Citizen driving into Mexico.

[cstreit]

Lead wallet.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by Paul_Heery

Five to ten seconds in the microwave and the problem goes away.

That is what I would do with mine. Already put a magnet to the strip on the back the day I got it.

If this were mandatory it would violate the US Constitution

[mjshira]

hit it with a hammer and it is 'fixed'. these are in passports too...

[sammyg2]

Are you afraid you won't be able to get away with it anymore?

[The Gaijin]

Millions and million and millions of people here illegally and they want to roll out more high tech stuff to track American Citizens?

[speeder]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

Are you afraid you won't be able to get away with it anymore?

Get away with what, Sammy?

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by Tobra

If this were mandatory it would violate the US Constitution

Tell me how it would violate the US constitution. I'm not saying you're wrong, just educate me.

[many944s]

Originally Posted by Tobra

That is what I would do with mine. Already put a magnet to the strip on the back the day I got it.

If this were mandatory it would violate the US Constitution

What is this "Constitution" you speak of?
I have seen it on display as a "historical reference" Other than that I don't think it serves a useful purpose to the American people any more.

[87coupe]

Passive RFID tags have a max range around 10 - 15 feet (for the UHF type) and these are not what are used in ID cards. The ones in IDs are just like the card access many of us use to enter our place of work - effective at less than a foot. Not really something to be worried about, it's simply a replacement technology for the mag strip on many IDs today. And yes, anyone wanting to block their card from being read could simply place the card in a simply sleeve made of any number of materials that will block the RF signal.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Originally Posted by Paul_Heery

Five to ten seconds in the microwave and the problem goes away.

That was my first thought.