Radio chip coming soon to your driver's license?

http://wnd.com ^ | February 28, 2009 | By Bob Unruh

[Lucky9teen]

Privacy advocates are issuing warnings about a new radio chip plan that ultimately could provide electronic identification for every adult in the U.S. and allow agents to compile attendance lists at anti-government rallies simply by walking through the assembly.

The proposal, which has earned the support of Janet Napolitano, the newly chosen chief of the Department of Homeland Security, would embed radio chips in driver's licenses, or "enhanced driver's licenses."

"Enhanced driver's licenses give confidence that the person holding the card is the person who is supposed to be holding the card, and it's less elaborate than REAL ID," Napolitano said in a Washington Times report.

REAL ID is a plan for a federal identification system standardized across the nation that so alarmed governors many states have adopted formal plans to oppose it. However, a privacy advocate today told WND that the EDLs are many times worse.

Radio talk show host and identity chip expert Katherine Albrecht said REAL ID earned the opposition of Christians because of its resemblance to the biblical "mark of the beast," civil libertarians opposed it for its "big brother" connotations and others worried about identity theft issues with the proposed databases.

"We got rid of the REAL ID program, but [this one] is way more insidious," she said.

Enhanced driver's licenses have built-in radio chips providing an identifying number or information that can be accessed by a remote reading unit while the license is inside a wallet or purse.

The technology already had been implemented in Washington state, where it is promoted as an alternative to a passport for traveling to Canada. So far, the program is optional.

But there are other agreements already approved with Michigan, Vermont, New York and Arizona, and plans are under way in other states, including Texas, she said.

[sionnsar]

I don't think this is at all the same technology as is used in anti-theft tags (which, you are correct, could be rendered inert this way).

The RFID tags I've seen from 1990 on generally store energy from a received RF burst and emit an RF signal, typically conveying a fixed unique N-bit code. A microwave oven *might* damage these; a mini-EMP generator could also (I am guessing).

[alfie]

how about a hammer?

[dynachrome]

Tape the license to some one elses vehicle. Take the hit on the fine if caught driving without one. “oops it must have fallen out of my wallet/purse, officer.”

Pay for a new one (expensive, I know) Repeat often enuff to mess with the thought police.

[dynachrome]

Large, powerful magnet work just as well?

[Viking2002]

Try eBay.

[sionnsar]

Where can a bulk eraser be found?

Radio Shack. Bought one there a few years back. But see my caveat on this thread.

[Viking2002]

Like I said, a hand-held bulk eraser -which is just a rudimentary EM generator - should fry the bejeezus out of any chip if you hit it long enough. I'd think it would scramble the eggs of any data coded into it.

[sionnsar]

Strong fields but very low frequency. The chip’s antenna might not pick up enough energy.

[raybbr]

What about putting the drivers licence in the microwave for 5 seconds?

I dunno. I think the combination of microwaves and RFID might accidentally signal a far off galaxy that we are willing to go to war with them. Might not be a good idea.

[NormsRevenge]

What's in YOUR wallet?

[pyx]

FROM Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RFID

In 2006, RFID tags were included in new US passports. The US produced 10 million passports in 2005, and it has been estimated that 13 million will be produced in 2006. The chips will store the same information that is printed within the passport and will also include a digital picture of the owner. The US State Department initially stated the chips could only be read from a distance of 10 cm (4 in), but after widespread criticism and a clear demonstration that special equipment can read the test passports from 10 meters (33 ft) away, the passports were designed to incorporate a thin metal lining to make it more difficult for unauthorized readers to "skim" information when the passport is closed. (My comments: Except government "authorized" scanners.)

Thirty-three (33) feet is just about the distance from the center line of a roadway to the curb. I would suppose that means with slight modifications, these new RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tags could be scanned from any vehicle parked or moving or a stationary "receiver" at the side of any roadway and with a bit of tweaking from the side of any HIGHWAY. That way, the movement of anyone carrying a driver's license could be REMOTELY tracked.

Welcome to Obamaland.

[aps]

Just because it is on your license does not mean that you have to carry it everywhere you go.

If you happen to go to a rally, leave your license in your car. Scan the crowd all you want, but if nothing shows. What or who went to the rally.

[reg45]

Big Brother is scanning you.

[NeoConfederate]

Privacy advocates are issuing warnings about a new radio chip plan that ultimately could provide electronic identification for every adult in the U.S. and allow agents to compile attendance lists at anti-government rallies simply by walking through the assembly. I'll have to remember not to bring my DL to those kinds of events.

[Dahoser]

Don’t worry, all those people who have their panties in a knot over intercepting enemy communications will be leading the charge against this. Any minute now. Coming right up. Just another second before they begin...

[rawcatslyentist]

Get us dependent on the chip for all fiduciary transactions. Strictly for tax and national security purposes only. sleeeeeeeep.....

Calamity and Crisis !!!!!!! the cards chips fail. EMP hackers etc...

Success!!!! the implant chip is fail proof! ....... sleeeeeeeeeep.....

[Dan Middleton]

"We need a U.S. Franco to sweep away the liberal fascist vermin and their s**t."

I'm slightly confused. Do you mean General Franco as in the Spanish civil war General Franco?

Because I don't think our own version of the Spanish civil war is the cure for what ails us...communists versus (Franco-led) fascists...not much of a choice.

[ColdWater]

They have a poll, but you have to have a WND account.

I stopped reading the article when I saw "WND".

[an amused spectator]

It looks to me like another in a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evincing a design to reduce us under absolute Despotism...

[Salvation]

**REAL ID earned the opposition of Christians because of its resemblance to the biblical “mark of the beast,” **

First thing I thought of.