[Lokibob]

"radio frequency" ID transmitters into driver's licenses that would make it possible for anyone with the right scanner to download all your pertinent (and even not-so-pertinent) information"

 

Wrong.  A RFID only identifies the person or the product (probably by number).  You then need to go to the database to pull up that persons records.

 

All of this is bad enough, but the RFID is not a data storage item, it is only an ID system.

 

No flames, please, I'm not in favor of RFIDS.

[wjr]

Actually you are incorrect about RFID. An RFID can contain an ID element that is defined as up to several hundred bytes of data -- enough to contain key recognition information.

Further, new proposals (for passports and the like) could contain up to several Kilobytes of data.

The reason that RIFD tags do not contain more data now has nothing to do with the technology or the standard(s) but current commercial usage.

[DB]

There's no reason a RFID can't provide other infirmation as well.

[El Gato]

All of this is bad enough, but the RFID is not a data storage item, it is only an ID system.

True, but the mag stripe on the side may contain information. All military IDs, now being issued, have both the stripe and the RR tag. Including mine, which is a contractor ID. It's called a CAC, common access card. We now have to use them just to log on to our computers. Every machine has a card reader, including the laptops they issue to the government employees and military personnel.