RFID Spy Chips Catch Criminals, FBI Says, "No Comment"

[mrrfid]

By invitation, I recently visited a remote facility in northern Virginia to see a demonstration of NOX – a new Intelligent Perimeter Defense system deployed by the FBI that uses covert Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to track people and assets without their knowledge.

That’s right, using RFID to track people without their knowledge. This system is exactly what the privacy advocates have long feared: Big Brother tracking us with spy chips. As Orwellian as this sounds, the undisputed fact is that this system catches thieves and does so at a fraction of the cost of traditional security solutions.

NOX combines high-resolution video pictures and RFID for identification, tracking and tracing, overlaid in real time on a facility map to show the movement of people and assets. The system allows security officers to see theft as it happens, even if the stolen object is inside a briefcase, under a jacket, or stuffed inside a sock.

What makes the NOX system I saw different from traditional security systems is that it uses RFID for clandestine surveillance: RFID readers are hidden inside walls, floors, and ceilings; RFID tags are discretely placed; and only the security personnel know that the system is in place – until the thief gets caught. Then, all the thief knows is that he or she was caught in the act, on video.

A commander with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), who asked to remain anonymous added . . . Read more . . .

[craig333]

Putting rfid on objects is a fine idea. Even people I could see in some high security installations. But still I don't see why you'd have to do it against their knowledge. You want to work here you'll be subject to rfid. Might even act as a fine deterrent knowing you'll be tracked constantly as opposed to being reactive after someones done something.

[Curtis Baillie]

Intelligence services have been tracking people and assets for many years. This technology is nothing new. Global retailers have been using RFID chips for a long time now, again to track shipments and inventory. Some have even used the technology to track very expensive stolen merchandise.

[darkenna]

Why would this not be communicated in most environments? I have no problem with being watched when I'm inside or upon the property of someone else, be it government, publicly, or privately owned. It's their property; they can surveil me all they want, just as I can watch them if they come onto my property. In a few, limited instances I can understand not informing people of the capability of the systems, but wouldn't advertising some (not necessarily all) of what the systems can do be an invaluable deterrent to improper activity, thereby freeing up more time for the people monitoring the systems to investigate actual incidents?

[Chucky]

darkenna my friend from the state above. If you adjust the size box in the reply box to say 3 or 2 an old guy like myself will not have to buy a pair of glasses to read your post.

[darkenna]

darkenna my friend from the state above. If you adjust the size box in the reply box to say 3 or 2 an old guy like myself will not have to buy a pair of glasses to read your post.

Heh... sorry Chucky, that wasn't intentional. It was supposed to be in a completely different font; I was responding to two forums at once and wrote the wrong one in the wrong window. The cut-n-paste altered the font & size to what I was using on the other site. I didn't even notice.

So much for being the observant type.

[Mr. Security]

Intelligence services have been tracking people and assets for many years. This technology is nothing new. Global retailers have been using RFID chips for a long time now, again to track shipments and inventory. Some have even used the technology to track very expensive stolen merchandise.

I think it's a great way to track kidnapped victims.

[NRM_Oz]

Good Point Mr Security.

I delivered an RFID system for our high risk merchandise and even our Corporate Notebooks as too many were being ummmmmmm misplaced before I commenced here and suddenly returned when I came on board. Like retailers or venues who advertise CCTV in progress inside a building - once you are told once or it is in company policies then you should not have an issue. Also this stops resource abuse by employees such as motorvehicles and the borrowing of assets without permission.

[craig333]

I think it's a great way to track kidnapped victims.

Good idea. We can chip children just like we do dogs. Then we could have scanners in public places, maybe even on freeways, pass under with a stolen child and you're toast.

[Curtis Baillie]

Good idea. We can chip children just like we do dogs. Then we could have scanners in public places, maybe even on freeways, pass under with a stolen child and you're toast.

Applied Digital Solutions Inc. has been selling a human tracking chip for years. To date they have sold about 1500 chips that have been inserted under the skin of children whose parents have deemed them to be a high kidnapping risk.

[NRM_Oz]

I heard about this from a colleague in the US when his client's wife said she should be microchipped and he found out about it being true last year. Everything is only just a matter of time ....................

[Mr. Security]

Kidnapping Abroad

Kidnapping is a constant threat in several South American countries that are waging ongoing battles with gorilla forces. Business men and other "cash cows" are kidnapped by rebels who constantly move them to avoid government troops and hold out for a ransom. Having such a chip would be priceless in a dilemma like that.

[shifty]

RFID chips being a passive identification method (at least at this point in time) makes it of limited use for many applications.

Unless of course we start installing RFID readers in every airport, train and subway station, mall, etc. and link them all to a central database....

[darkenna]

Woohoo! The personal Lojack!

[Chucky]

Actually the Alzheimer's (not alTimers as many mispronounce) foundation is considering them for the patients since many walk away from care givers and have no idea who or where they are. Of course my thoughts are that an invisible
electric fence would be more fun to watch.