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October 7, 2006 at 06:52:25
The RFID- Micro-chip Privacy Problem; No End in Sight by SARA SCAFE TOOLE Page 1 of 1 page(s) |
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By: Sara Scafe Toole
Ever since the passport issue came up, many of us have wondered when this invasion of privacy will end. Well, I'm here to tell you folks that it's only beginning, and what is to come will be very intrusive, and invasive to all of our privacy; here in the US, and everywhere else.
First, the State Department has moved up their date from Dec. 31st to Oct. 26th for all passports to be embedded with the RFID chip.(1) Washington Post Staff Writer-Jonathon Krim; Oct. 2005
I heard that it was to be in Dec. just a month ago, in The Austin American Statesman, and then I saw in the paper that the date moved up. How the guys at The Washington Post had it right the first time, I'll never know, but one can get a passport in one day in most major cities, so I suggest that you do it now, as the Federal Driver's Licenses, with RFID are due in 2008, and passports are good for 10 years. I do have good news.
California voted down the RFID bill that would've allowed RFIDs in driver's licenses, and other forms of ID just last week in a 29 to 7 vote. The bill next moves to a State Assembly, which voted it down last year. CA. Senator Joe Simitian, (D-Palo Alto) introduced the Identity Information Protection Act of 2005 in Feb. 2005, following public outcry over a Sutter County school's plan to outfit elementary school children with badges containing RFIDs. How this will stand up to the Real-ID Act, the new Federal law that will require states to issue these IDs, will be the real question, as other states are bound to fight this invasion of civil liberties (2) www.news.com/Calif.%2BSenate%2Bapproves%2Belectronic%2BID%2Bban/2110
Unfortunately, after I wrote this article, Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill. This is a very distressing turn of events for all Americans, as many states were looking at California to see how the Federal government would respond if the bill had passed. It doesn't look good for those of us who think that the technology has not been tested enough in the field, and especially those who cherish their privacy! Hopefully, other states will have the courage to stand up against the federal government in fighting this outrageous invasion of our civil liberties.
Corporate giants tout the merits of RFID, as they can install them in products to prevent theft, and also learn about consumer's buying habits. They can be installed in clothing, paper products, cabinetry, and just about everything that one can imagine. The issue is whether the tags will be deactivated once they leave the store. Imagine that RFID receivers are installed in airports, seaports, highways, retail stores, exercise equipment, and even pointed at one's home! This is a scary thought, and companies, in an attempt to soothe consumer's fears, have argued that items tagged with RFID chips can't be tracked beyond about five feet. There is a major problem with this reasoning; these receivers can be made stronger to receive lesser waves, so their thinking is inept, at best. (3) www.theyaretrackingyou.com/rfid-privacy-protection.html
Eric Blossom, a veteran radio engineer, said it would not be difficult to build a beefier transmitter, and a more sensitive receiver that could make the range far greater. "I don't see any problem building a sensitive receiver," Blossom said. "It's well-known technology, particularly if it's a specialty item where you're willing to spend five times as much."(6) www.news.com.com/2102_3-980325.html?tag=st.util.print
Verichip is the company that makes RFID tags for humans. Supposedly, the idea came around on September 11th, when firefighters were writing their badge numbers on their arms, in case they were found in the rubble. (4) www.greaterthings.com/News/Chips_implants?CNet040727/index.html
They are now working on a chip that has GPS capacity; this can be a good thing, in case of a missing child, or a bad thing, if your insane ex-husband is in the military, and wants to find you. (4) www.greaterthings.com/News/Chips_implants?CNet040727/index.html
Now, Verichip Corp wants to place their RFID chips in all US troops, if they have their way. They just might, as they have some major political clout on their side. Former US Secretary of the Dept. of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson, is on its Board of Directors. In an interview with the D.C. Examiner, the company's spokeswoman, Nicole Philbin, said that Verichip and the Pentagon are "in discussions." These chips would be inserted in the right arm, and the Examiner was assured that any serviceman that didn't want the chip wouldn't be forced to receive it. (5) www.newsmax.com/scripts/printer_friendly.pl?s
I have already heard of unofficial reports that the American Special Forces, and other elite troops have already had their implants inserted near their right collarbone. This may have devastating consequences, as you will find out as you read below.
The problem with this is what if the enemy has a receiver, and can pick our troops out? What about infection issues; there's also a possibility that the RFID can move through the body, as it's the size of a grain of rice. If you've ever had glass in you due to an accident, and I have, it comes out in the darndest places! Could it be the same with RFID? One certainly hopes not. Liz McIntyre, co-author with Katherine Albrecht of "Spychips: How Major Corporations and Government Plan to track your Every Move with RFID," said that Verichip is "a huge threat" to public privacy. "They're circling like vultures for any opportunity to get into our flesh," McIntyre told the D.C. Examiner. "They'll start with people who can't say no, like the elderly, sex offenders, immigrants, and the military. Then, they'll come knocking on our doors."(5) www.newsmax.com/scripts/printer_friendly.pl?s
I have read that they have already implanted about 1000 chips in willing subjects; some are elderly folks with Alzheimer's that have wandered off in the past, others are parents that want to be able to find their children in case of kidnapping. The other category is those with health problems; they wanted their chips installed in case they are unable to communicate in a medical emergency. These all sound like good ideas, but when these things are forced on the public, then it is truly an issue of invasion of privacy.
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Thank you for this article
I agree this is a major problem in the making. Years ago I never dreamed that all traffic on the internet could be stored but with huge cheap disk drives this has become a reality. Privacy issues are becoming a bigger issue every year. This is just another example. It reminds me of the tracking system in the movie "Minority Report". Damn that Arnold, he shows himself to be just another part of the Republican fascist machine. Maybe I read this wrong but if they have a range of about 5 feet what good would they do for finding a lost child? by John Rogue (2 articles, 125 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 11 comments) on Saturday, Oct 7, 2006 at 9:55:05 AM  (0+)
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Reply: RFID Chips
It is very easy to create a stronger receiver, as the radio expert stated in the article, and I believe that GPSs also have a range within 10 feet or so, in location findings. What concerns me the most is the possiblity of corporations having these chips installed in their products, for "security" purposes. How can one be sure that they are inactivated after one leaves the establishment? If receivers are placed in airports, government buildings, etc., then it is truly a scary thought. I feel that it would be a complete invasion of privacy. After all, I don't know where each individual of the government is at all times, so why do they need to know where I am? America, I fear, is turning into a nightmare reminiscent of Orwell's "1984." by SARA SCAFE TOOLE (7 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 13 comments) on Saturday, Oct 7, 2006 at 10:30:33 AM (0+)
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RFID, GPS and nanotechnology
It has not been brought up, but the RFID and nanotechnology will enable "our" government to monitor not only our actions, but what our body chemistry is. GPS transceivers will (are in many areas) be mounted everywhere to pick up information from everything from your car and it's speed, to who, what and where you are and what you have been consuming. The Global Information Grid is being replaced (it's already been running for quite some time). It is not unlike having your car plugged in for a checkup, except there is no choice. The sinister side of this reaches beyond any moral code. Military personel will not only be known for where they are, but how they are reacting. It's a pathology test without consent. Go to DARPA and find out more. The information technology and data matrix and warehousing technologies are of the highest priority. The federation of american scientists and government funded (practically owned) university projects and the giants of transnational technology consortiums are already planning on nanotechnology to be deployed at a genetic level eventually and it will be programmable. Nanotechnology is planned to reach .1nm or a few thousand times smaller than the .45 micron process in chips today. Huxely and Orwell would not be shocked by the absolute amoral mentality of owner/leaders that push for this ability to nearly control the thoughts and minds of what would be considered a slave class. Plato had three concepts of a society and all of them had slaves bearing the burden for the decision makers ("decider" group). We have been through this for over 100 years now and most people don't know it. Look up Edward Bernays and the BBC series "Century of Self". by Jim Reinhart (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 60 comments) on Saturday, Oct 7, 2006 at 10:15:30 AM (0+)
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Reply: RFID technology
You are so right about this! The chips that have been installed in the US Special and Elite Forces measure PH levels, body temperature, pulse rate, and many other health related conditions that pertain to that individual. What if the enemy has a receiver that can pick up this information? They could easily find, and torture the troops they capture. Since Bush has had the Torture Bill passed, this could be a deadly thing for those serving in other countries. by SARA SCAFE TOOLE (7 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 13 comments) on Saturday, Oct 7, 2006 at 10:36:47 AM (0+)
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Tin Foil Hats
Now I know this is serious but we all need to get our tin foil hats out.These crazy bastards want us to fear our goverment and each other just like 1984.Sure they will be misused just give them time to figure out how.But I will rely on people out there in cyberspace to tell us all how to screw them up.Would magnets work, as I am sure tin foil would not.This is so out there that I can not think of anything else. Hopefully we can out law this RFID technology. by cluelessfl (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 188 comments) on Sunday, Oct 8, 2006 at 11:00:18 AM (0+)
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Tin Foil Hats
Now I know this is serious but we all need to get our tin foil hats out.These crazy bastards want us to fear our goverment and each other just like 1984.Sure they will be misused just give them time to figure out how.But I will rely on people out there in cyberspace to tell us all how to screw them up.Would magnets work, as I am sure tin foil would not.This is so out there that I can not think of anything else. Hopefully we can out law this RFID technology. by cluelessfl (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 188 comments) on Sunday, Oct 8, 2006 at 11:00:24 AM (0+)
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