RFID Chips

RFID is a growing technology in the United States. RFID stands for “Radio Frequency Identification.” The technology is comprised of two primary processes, scanning and emitting. RFID chips emit radio waves at certain frequencies while scanning devices pick up these waves and identify the individual chips. A classic example of RFID chips can be found in tags on clothing that trigger an alarm at the front door if the register clerk fails to remove them. This alarm indicates theft.

RFID technology has gone further than its original purpose as an aircraft identifier back in World War II. Dogs are now implanted with RFID chips so their medical records can be tracked. The US government already announced in 2006 that it intended to implement RFID chips in passports, containing information such as name, date of birth, and sex. This technology would allow a border officer to merely scan the passport and verify the photo of the passport presenter. Furthermore, RFID chip implementation in the medical field would allow for citizens to travel around the nation without fear of getting in an accident and doctors not being able to find medical records- a simple scan of the individual’s RFID chip would bring up that person’s record.

The latter two innovations in RFID chip technology would certainly make life more convenient, but its introduction to society would definitely cause some concerns. Implanting these chips in Americans would definitely call some to question their rights to privacy stated in the Bill of Rights. RFID chips in passports may strengthen acts such as the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America, but may raise some brows towards the issue of cross-border traffic flow. Many Americans are sensitive to immigrants flowing in through their borders; however, technology such as RFID technology definitely makes it easier for North Americans to cross the border and visit their neighbors.

This blog was inspired by my close friend. He wrote a very informative, articulate article concerning the history of RFID chips and their future implementations. Here are some interesting sources he used to write his article:

Albrecht, Katherine. "Frequently Asked Questions About CASPIAN." RFID Nineteen Eight-      Four. CASPIAN. 10 Nov            2008 <www.spychips.com/about_us.>.

Gerson, Emily Starbuck. "Contactless credit cards 'floundering'. Not many embrace the cards       touted as 'wave of  the future'." Credit Cards.Com. 28 May 2008. CreditCards.com. 10            Nov 2008 www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/contactless-credit-card-prediction-            11273.

Johnson, Joel. "RFID Credit Cards and Theft: Tech Clinic." Popular Mechanics. Jan 2007.            Heart Communications Inc.10 Nov 2008                                                                                            www.popularmechanics.com/how_to_central/technology/4206464.html.

Kupetz , Allen H. “Our Cashless Future: Despite Continued Concerns over Privacy and Security,             the Era of Digital Currency Has Arrived.”  Futurist June 2007.  SIRS Knowledge Source .     NC LIVE. 10 Nov 2008. sks.sirs.com. 

Lewan, Todd. "Chip Implants Linked to Animal Tumors." WashingtonPost.com. 08 Sep 2007.     Associated Press. 10        Nov 2008 <www.washingtonpost.com/wp-   dyn/content/article/2007/09/08/AR2007090800997>.

Mathur, Ravi. "RFID fights counterfeit menace." Express Pharma. 2001. Indian Express   Newspapers. 10 Nov 2008             www.expresspharmaonline.com/20060331/research03>.

NASDAQ. “Chip: Stock Quote and Data Summary” 11 Nov 2008. 11 Nov 2008.             WWW.quotes.nasdaq.com/asp/SummaryQuote.asp?symbol=CHIP&selected=CHIP

New York State DMV. “Facts About Enhanced Drivers Liscenses for U.S. Citizens Who             are       Residents of NYS.” 2008. 10 Nov 2008. www.nydmv.state.ny.us/edl-faqs

O'Connor, Mary Catherine . "Chase Offers Contactless Cards in a Blink The global financial         services firm will issue MasterCard and Visa credit cards embedded with RFID tags to         enable a contactless payment service called   blink.." RFID Journal. 25 May 2005. RFID   Journal . 10 Nov 2008 www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/1615.

RFID Journal. “The History of RFID Technology.”  11 Nov 2008.                                                              www.rfidjournal.com/article/view/1338/1/129

Verichip Corporation. “Our RFID Tags”. 2006. 10 Nov 2008.                                                                      www.verichipcorp.com/content/company/rfidtags#implantable

Verichip Corporation. “RFID 101”. 2006. 10 Nov 2008.      http://www.verichipcorp.com/content/company/rfid101

Vijayan, Jaikumar . "Passport card with chatty RFID chip draws privacy ire ." Network World.    01 Sep 2008.             Computer World. 10 Nov 2008                      www.networkworld.com/news/2008/010908-passport-card-with-chatty- rfid.

Posted at 10:46PM Dec 06, 2008 by Bennett L. Rouse in General  |  Comments[0]