Comments on: New U.S. identity card, with RFID, could pose security threat http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/05/16/new-us-identity-card-with-rfid-could-pose-security-threat/ Gadgets, gear and computer hardware. Sun, 07 Sep 2008 10:26:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: CB http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/05/16/new-us-identity-card-with-rfid-could-pose-security-threat/#comment-696163 CB Fri, 16 May 2008 17:36:40 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=26453#comment-696163 Having worked for a border issue organization, I know that the State Department is aware that the RFID could be scanned during development but I think its really important to know what the RFID contains. Just a huge long number. That's it. No personal information. In order for the ID thief to know who you are, they have to crack into the State Department data base and match the numbers. The one thing the RFID does do however for those with a scanner, is basically ID you as an American, and as we know, on foreign soil, that can be dangerous. But as I and my organization was told by the State Department, if you are concerned, just smash the chip with a hammer. The passport is still totally valid. I can't really speak to the lifting of the picture, but I think Nicholas is right, this is really scare-mongering. Having worked for a border issue organization, I know that the State Department is aware that the RFID could be scanned during development but I think its really important to know what the RFID contains. Just a huge long number. That’s it. No personal information. In order for the ID thief to know who you are, they have to crack into the State Department data base and match the numbers. The one thing the RFID does do however for those with a scanner, is basically ID you as an American, and as we know, on foreign soil, that can be dangerous. But as I and my organization was told by the State Department, if you are concerned, just smash the chip with a hammer. The passport is still totally valid.

I can’t really speak to the lifting of the picture, but I think Nicholas is right, this is really scare-mongering.

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