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Blocker Tags to Protect Privacy From RFID Tags

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the arms-race-for-secrecy dept.

geekee writes "According to an article at CNET, RSA Security is developing a 'blocker' tag that disrupts RFID tag transmissions, protecting a person's privacy from those who would abuse RFID technology. The blocker tag would be embedded in your watch, for instance. This method has an advantage over destroying the RFID tags after purchase because useful information on the tag could help consumers (e.g. laundry instructions)." According to the RSA scientist quoted in the article, privacy concerns regarding RFID have been overblown, but it's still worth being proactive when finding ways to defeat the tags.

8 of 295 comments (clear)

  1. God I hate those tags by Dancin_Santa · · Score: 5, Funny

    I haven't ever seen one, nor have I heard of any stores stocking merchandise equipped with them, but the price of Freedom is eternal vigilantism.

    1. Re:God I hate those tags by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      Next big item on eBay: portable EMP generators.

      Excellent. Then the next time some prick wont stop waffling into his cellphone during the movie, I can just take matters into my own hands and blast it into a useless lump of plastic.

    2. Re:God I hate those tags by Nucleon500 · · Score: 4, Funny
      Excellent. Then the next time some prick wont stop waffling into his cellphone during the movie, I can just take matters into my own hands and blast it into a useless lump of plastic.

      But then you'd be helping the MPAA, by stopping the flow of text messages complaining about the movie!

      --
      Litigious bastards
  2. But... by cliffy2000 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just remember to take off your RFID blocker watch before trying to get on a plane. Try explaining THAT to airport security:
    You: "It's a watch that protects my privacy from the invasive government by sending out waves of non-dangerous radiation!"
    Them: "Terrorist!"
    You: "But it's just radio wa-wahhhhhhh!" *getting taken away in handcuffs*

  3. Re:Going lotech by acceleriter · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is it bad if my mind was in the gutter and I knew she's the robot from the Jetsons?

    --

    CEE5210S The signal SIGHUP was received.

  4. I wanna subscribe to your newsletter by serial+frame · · Score: 4, Funny

    Wow, this is awesome !! This is one step closer to things like, watch-sized EMP death rays.

    I've always wanted an EMP in my watch.

    --

    -
    And the Angel said unto me, "These are the cries of the carrots! The cries of the carrots!"
  5. Easy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    just place clothes in microwave, high power for 10 seconds

    no rfid :)

    just dont touch that zipper (ouch hottt)

  6. Re:Going lotech by Zork+the+Almighty · · Score: 4, Funny

    What happens when 5% of your laundry says "warm" and the rest says "hot" ?

    Your washing machine blue-screens and sends an error report to Microsoft.

    --

    In Soviet America the banks rob you!