RFID CHIPS IN US PASSPORTS

While using electronic chips to authenticate your passport isn't that big of a big brothery issue, it is still important to note. This is especially true since the RFID technology is said to be fairly easy to hack. Check out this blurb from [http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/13/us-issues-first-rfid-passports/|a March 13, 2006 post] at Engadget.Com:

. Government officials have said that the use of the RFID chip allows passports to be scanned and cross-referenced with security databases more easily, while privacy advocates have argued they'll make it easier for identity thieves and terrorists to extract information -- especially after a security firm successfully demonstrated that they were able to crack the encryption used on prototype Dutch RFID passports. Despite such concerns, the new passports are scheduled to be rolled out nationally in October.

Yippee--I can't wait for people to be able to identify me just by standing nearby.

Now THAT'S SECURITY!!