California spy-chip ID cards
p2pnet.net News:- The Californian State Senate has approved a bill designed to stop state and local governments from issuing ID cards with RFID tags.
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) spy chips can, broadcast an individual`s most private information including their name, address, telephone number, and date of birth, emphasises the ACLU of Northern California, going on:
The bill will be heard next in the State Assembly. It is the first bill of its kind in the US and has drawn national attention following the federal government`s decision to embed RFID tags in new U.S. passports.
The Identity Information Protection Act of 2005, SB 682, from state senator Joe Simitian, would also make it illegal for anyone to read, or attempt to read, an identification document without the owner`s knowledge.
This is a milestone for a very important measure to protect people`s privacy, personal safety, and financial security, says Simitian.
RFID technology is not the issue, the issue is whether and under what circumstances should the government be allowed to use this technology.
RFID tag readers are readily available to the public, making it easy for anyone to collect an individual`s most personal information, says the ACLU.
That information can then be used to steal a person`s identity, stalk them, or even kidnap them. Last year, more than 39,000 Californians were victims of identity theft and these devices would make that crime even easier to commit.
RFID tags embedded in identification cards and other official documents could allow the government to track its employees` movements.
The bill was partially inspired by the Brittan Elementary School in Sutter, California, which made it compulsory for students to wear ID cards with spy chips around their necks.
The cards had students’ names, pix, grades, school name, class year and the four-digit school ID numbers.
Angry parents forced the school to remove the RFID tags.
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See:-
ACLU of Northern California – Bill to Protect Californians` Privacy, Personal Safety, and Financial Security Advances in State Senate, May 17, 2005
first bill of its kind – California spy-chip ID card ban?, p2pnet, March 2, 2005
cards with spy chips – CA school drops spy-chip ID, p2pnet, February 17, 2005
