From: Eugen Leitl (eugen@leitl.org)
Date: Sun Apr 21 2002 - 05:25:50 MDT
On Sun, 21 Apr 2002, Olga Bourlin wrote:
> > You looking for human testers? I'd love to put a "Where's Lee?"
> > page on my web site with my location constantly updated from a GPS
> > chip embedded in me (or perhaps worn if that's not feasible yet).
>
> Launch date for the embedded option is May 1, 2002:
You're confusing a RFID tag with a GPS implant. Latter is completely
mythical with current and near future technology, for physical reasons.
In-cell localizers using cell number, and signal strength and signal time
of flight to triangulate your cellphone within the cell make that
completely unnecessary (this is information now available for law
enforcement in most countries, and recently became a subscriber option).
RFID implants is old hat, multiple warwickisms and much hot air from
Digital Angel nonwithstanding. Millions of pets and livestock have them.
The only new thing is the FDA approval for people (a big deal for a few
people apparently).
Big minus is unavailability of compact and cheap readers (in handguns,
door frames, vehicles, cellphones, and similiar devices in your property)
non-cryptographic authentication (tag ID is radiated in clear instead of
using a PKI random token challenge mechanism) plus inability to destroy
and/or lock and/or erase the RFID tag with mechanic pressure or a tap
code. As long as it can be used for involuntary identification, I count it
in with the biblical mark of the beast (666 0wn0rZ y0). As if recent
homeland biometrics craze wasn't bad enough...
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