Slashdot Mirror
Blocker Tags to Protect Privacy From RFID Tags
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.
With current laws (unless this gets called a circumvention device under the DMCA) it would be legal. This is because the RFID tag will be unlicensed and fall under part 15 of the FCC's rules. Cell phones, on the other hand, are in licensed spectrum, and transmit with much more power than part 15. Part of the requirements for a part 15 device to operate is it must not intentionally cause interference (ie blocking a cell phone) with another, LICSENCED device (so interfering with an RFID tag is OK, cell phone is not) Additionally, most likely power levels greater than part 15 would be required to block a cell phone transmisssion. So in short, this is legal, call phone blocking isn't.
In case anyone wants to read the original paper on this it's at:
l o-TheBlockerTag.pdf
http://theory.lcs.mit.edu/~rivest/JuelsRivestSzyd