RFID Blocker Demonstrated

from the good-to-see... dept

Tue, Feb 24th 2004 10:27am — Mike Masnick

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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13 Comments

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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...
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- 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.
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Feb 2004 @ 10:15am

No Subject Given

http://www.spychips.com/
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- RFID Gazette, 12 Aug 2005 @ 9:19am
  
  Re: No Subject Given
  WE SUCK
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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

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Anonymous Coward, 23 Jun 2006 @ 9:35pm

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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

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Anonymous Coward, 11 Jul 2006 @ 8:46am

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Beelzebub, 23 Feb 2007 @ 10:24am

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