Tracking devices in passports? :x

AJUK · 8 Dec 2006 at 11:58

Berserker said:
Now you've stated your intent, they'll just track you by spy satellite instead.

Not with my jamming device (tin foil hat)

Berserker · 8 Dec 2006 at 11:59

I'm sure they'll appreciate that. They use visual tracking (MIB style), so your tinfoil hat will make it easier.

Eriedor · 8 Dec 2006 at 12:18

locutus12 said:
lol... you would have to have a HUUUUGE ammount of readers, it just wouldnt work.

Range
Range is defined as the maximum distance for successful Tag-Reader communication. Read range difference will vary and can be very-short, short, or long.

* Very Short Range: approx. up to 60cm (2 ft) <--- these are in passports.
* Short Range: approx. up to 5 m (16 ft)
* Long Range: approx. 100+ m (320+ ft) <--- this requires a semi active RFID tag, they not only require power, but are expensive.

You don't have to have a active RFID tag to read from great distance, but a high gain directed antenna, but still not very feasible ;p

However they don't need to know exactly where you are for it to be possible to track you. It could still be used to track to you to a specific area. Also the use of RFID is going to rise exponentially, so the number of readers will rise too. In time majority of shops will have them, the underground already has them, airports will soon have them and i'm sure theres numerous other implementations in the works.

Won't be long till our bank notes have RFID tags much like some euro and dollar notes, and that is not a good thing!

Berserker · 8 Dec 2006 at 12:36

eriedor said:
Won't be long till our bank notes have RFID tags much like some euro and dollar notes, and that is not a good thing!

For tracking purposes, that's a complete red herring. Hypothetically speaking, how on earth are they going to know who you are from that £10 note you're carrying. If you're carrying your passport too, sure, that's identifiable, but the £10 note alone is useless for tracking. Detecting forgery, however, is another matter.