Govt support crucial for RFID growth

Radio frequency identification (RFID) will grow alongside the bar code technology in the Asia-Pacific region over the next few years, where government support is crucial in driving the adoption of RFID, says an analyst at Frost & Sullivan, reports ZDNet India.

Jafizwaty Ishahak, industry manager of smart cards and auto ID group for Frost & Sullivan Asia-Pacific, said RFID will continue to co-exist with bar codes for the next five years, unless there is a government mandate to change that. Jafizwaty noted that price remains a primary factor, where bar code is still a cheaper technology compared to RFID.

Malaysia, she added, is as an example of where the government's commitment to drive the use of RFID has led to the successful adoption of chip-based credit cards in the country. A government mandate pushed banks in Malaysia to migrate from magnetic-striped to chip-based credit cards.

The California Senate has passed Bills that would place a three-year moratorium on the use of RFID technology in driver's licences and school ID cards, reports Information Week.

The first Bill would prohibit the California department of motor vehicles from issuing driver's licences that use RFID to transmit personal information. The second Bill would prohibit public schools, public school districts, and county education offices from using RFID to track, monitor or record students' presence on school grounds. The bills are part of a larger package of bills addressing the use of RFID and privacy.

"RFID technology is not in and of itself the issue," state senator, Joe Simitian said, in a prepared statement. "RFID is a minor miracle, with all sorts of good uses. The issue is whether and under what circumstances the government should be allowed to compel its residents - adults or children - to carry technology that broadcasts their most personal information."

The privacy and security of US citizens would take a back seat to convenience if Border States follow the US Department of Homeland Security recommendations. They hope to pilot long-range, vicinity-read RFID-based state driver's licences that would double as border crossing cards, according to a statement released by the Smart Card Alliance, quoted in a Market Wire press release.

The alliance recommends that states working on enhanced driver's licence pilot programmes with DHS, retain their right to contribute to the technology specification and consider using more secure, contactless smart card technology.

This is the same technology used in new, government issued e-passports. It would help states to achieve a fast and secure means for citizens to cross US land and sea borders under the new Western Hemisphere Traveller Initiative guidelines.

A coalition of Canadian airlines and airports is putting pressure on transport minister, Lawrence Cannon, to adopt a biometric travel screening programme that would allow passengers to 'fast track' through airport security and avoid hassles, such as taking off their shoes and coats and removing laptops from their cases before boarding planes, says the National Post.

The voluntary programme, which is in place at several major US airports, relies on iris and fingerprint scans to identify passengers and quickly move them through airport security.

The biometric screening system is seen as a way to significantly reduce line-ups and other delays that have become a major hassle for passengers, particularly those who travel frequently, according to the coalition, which includes Air Canada, WestJet, as well as the Toronto, Montreal and Edmonton airport authorities.

After weeks of opposition from parents, the Taunton School Committee in Massachusetts has abandoned plans to let students pay for school lunches using biometric fingerprint scans, reports Boston Herald.

"I am thrilled that the battle is won, but the war is not over," scanning opponent Patti Crossman told The Taunton Daily Gazette, saying she'd like to see a state law against using biometric scanning on school children.

Her parents' group began attending school committee meetings in February to argue against the scan proposal, which they said carried the risk of invading students' privacy. School officials said it would give parents a convenient option, speed-up lunch lines and allow parents to keep an eye on kids' diets, as well as giving privacy to students getting free or reduced-cost meals.