EZPass The Border

from the just-zip-on-through dept

Thu, Jan 27th 2005 12:27pm — Mike Masnick

While RFID-based toll collection tags (EZPass, FastPass, SunPass, I-PASS, why-haven't-these-been-standardized-PASS?, etc.) are becoming common in the US, it looks like some government officials are wondering if the same technology can be useful for border crossings. The idea actually sounds similar to the "trusted traveler" or whatever it was called program that would let certain people who proved themselves as "safe" cut security lines at airports. Drivers would still need to stop, but the RFID system would record who they are and when they're crossing, as well as let the border agents know not to spend too much time checking them out. It's not hard to see how this sort of system could be easily abused. "Get across the border free" cards stolen (or bought) from "safer" travelers will suddenly become a valuable currency among those who wish to get across the border illegally.

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

3 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

Mongo, 27 Jan 2005 @ 1:07pm

Trusted Traveler
Trusted Traveler systems generally use at least one additional form of identification, such as license-plate readers that are able to scan a plate even while the vehicle is moving, and then compare the plate-number to the RFID. (This is described in numerous Web references -- you can find them with a quick Google.) So at a minimum you'd need to steal the person's SmartPass -and- their license plate. You'd probably need to use a similar model and color of vehicle as well. Typically a mismatch in any of these alerts the guard at the crossing station; the guard is proactively needed for allowing trusted vehicles through the gate, so any mismatch would clue the guard to bring down the gate pike.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Carter Rabasa, 27 Jan 2005 @ 1:33pm

trusted travelers
While I think there may be potential for abuse, I wouldn't overstate that threat. Just about any system of benefits (welfare) or taxes (IRS) that the government runs can be "gamed". But that doesn't make them bad ideas, it just means that periodic auditing and verification would be necessary. I think this is a great idea and, assuming the appropriate penalties were in place for violators, could be a good solution to relieve the strain on our nation's borders and further open them up for freer movement and trade.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 28 Jan 2005 @ 7:35am
  
  Re: trusted travelers
  Yes,
  I too am in agreement with this form of " authenticating " valid travelers.
  Can we expand on this a wee bit though ?
  How about we also " chip " each and every wetback down in Tacoland so we can appropriately " zap " them when they don't get back up over the border in time to mow our lawns or wipe the shit off our toilets ?
  I mean, if we are going to spend zillions of dollars on a Mexican EZPAZZ system, I want some real benefits out of my tax dollars ! I want it EZ for my Rosario to get my kids off to school, wash my laundry & still get her ass back over the border in time to do it for her family as well.
  Just think ... If Juan calls me a " Puta " for making him wax my Mercedes outside in 102degree heat, I can just pull out my little key-fob & zap his ass back to complacency ...
  
  How about we just " grease " the hands of a few border patrol agents for an EZGASS Mexican " Get out of America Free " card ?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]