RFID Blocker Demonstrated

from the good-to-see... dept

There has been a lot of talk lately about RFID chips - both good and bad. They have tremendous potential, but also have some privacy questions associated with them. However, as we pointed out last summer, some researchers at RSA have been working on creative solutions to the privacy problem by creating an RFID blocker tag. It was kind of surprising that this news didn't get more coverage and seemed to go away quickly. Very few of the discussions about RFID privacy issues mention the potential of a blocker tag. However, now, RSA has begun demonstrating how the blocker tag works and maybe it will get some more attention. Unfortunately, it's not as impressive as I had hoped it would be. The demonstration involves a shopping bag that has a blocker tag. Anything in the bag is thus unreadable by RFID readers. The problem with this is that it still requires you to take the item out of the bag to scan. I was hoping there would be a more dynamic way of doing this so that items could be scanned from within the bag, but only when necessary and from the specific reader with permission to read it. Hopefully, that's where the technology is headed.
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  • identicon
    Joe Baderderm, 24 Feb 2004 @ 12:53pm

    RFID Blocker

    I just want to say that I own the patent to this and/or am already selling this on eBay.

    I'm surprised that it didn't get coverage for the potential misuse by criminals. I walk into department store X that uses RFID for security with an RFID blocking bag. I walk out the side door with as much stuff as will fit into the bag.

    The technology reminds me of radar detectors. Everyone knows how useful it will be, but for whatever reason, mainstream use is not very high. I don't really need them to RFID block my purchase of Cocoa Puffs. Take all the info you want from me, just don't let those crazy radio waves cause cancer or anything...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Jimmy, 12 Aug 2005 @ 9:17am

      Re: RFID Blocker

      BULL! And big deal! do you think the people in China care if you own a pantent? In France, NO ONE CARES. The product will still sell with or with out the patent.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 25 Feb 2004 @ 10:15am

    No Subject Given

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    John Thomas, 3 Dec 2004 @ 11:30am

    RFID Tag Blocker

    Do you know the scoop on the RFID disabler? It is called Tagzapper. If you have any info please contact me. I enjoy your pages, John

    You can go find it at www.tagzapper.com

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 23 Jun 2006 @ 9:35pm

    bla

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    Anonymous Coward, 23 Jun 2006 @ 9:40pm

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    Anonymous Coward, 26 Jun 2006 @ 8:40pm

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    Anonymous Coward, 5 Jul 2006 @ 5:34pm

    bla

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    Anonymous Coward, 11 Jul 2006 @ 8:46am

    bla

    bla

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  • identicon
    Beelzebub, 23 Feb 2007 @ 10:24am

    RFID Blocker

    I want one! DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER! Hey bla, you suck. Spammer.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    eric, 18 Feb 2008 @ 7:15am

    blockers/zappers

    it sucks that consumers just cant pass a law forbidding item level tagging in the first place. There are NO reasons to track AFTER purchase, THINK about it! I believe an ITEM LEVEL DETECTOR is tha invention to pursue and DONT BUY TAGGED ITEMS AS THEY CAN BE RE ACTIVATED! A receipt for returns with no id required should be sufficient. I would even give up my "right of return" if push came to shove to protect my privacy!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    help, 13 Jun 2009 @ 10:57am

    help

    i reciently went to a free clinic an got an rfid chip implanted in my arm without my knowing ,i found out because next time i went they had a verimed somthing scanner which gave the some info on me. is there any way to block this or remove it from my hand.

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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