more on RFID passport data won't be encrypted (weith djf comment)

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

I many countries there are a lot of people who want to look at 
passports -- like VAT refunds; tax breaks etc. Some places hotels want 
to "see" the passport. Lots and lots of folks will get a chance to read 
the chipp if they want to.

Dave

Begin forwarded message:

From: noah_mendelsohn () us ibm com
Date: October 16, 2004 4:11:37 PM EDT
To: dave () farber net
Subject: Re: [IP] more on RFID passport data won't be encrypted

There are any number of reasons to be concerned about the RFID passport
proposal, but I'm curious:  can access to the chip be blocked by 
carrying
the passport in a shielding envelope?  Not that all sorts of troubling
problems don't remain, including the likelihood the many passport 
holders
would be sloppy about using the shielding, and also the chance that a
diligent criminal could bring a reader into an area where passports are
taken out of their holders.  Still, I'm interested to know whether there
are easy, passive ways to block access.   Thank you in advance to anyone
who may have the answer.

Noah

--------------------------------------
Noah Mendelsohn
IBM Corporation
One Rogers Street
Cambridge, MA 02142
1-617-693-4036
--------------------------------------




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