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(COMTEX) B: ACLU: Keep trackers out of Va. licenses ( United Press International )

NEW YORK, Oct 06, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- The American Civil Liberties Union today urged Virginia not to become the first state to place radio frequency identification chips in its driver's licenses.

RFID tags are computer chips attached to tiny antennae that are capable of broadcasting their data wirelessly to anyone with a RFID reader. They are currently used for "contactless" applications such as toll-booth speed passes, but are being considered for a variety of consumer goods.

"Until now, the controversy over RFID tags has focused on Wal-Mart and other retail applications," said Chris Calabrese, program counsel of the ACLU's Technology and Liberty Project. "But this is the first proposal we've seen to include RFIDs in driver's licenses. That brings the potential intrusion of this technology to a whole new level."

Calabrese testified before a panel of Virginia legislators considering whether to recommend the technology's adoption in state driver's licenses.

The ACLU says the chips will allow anyone to be tracked.

Copyright 2004 by United Press International.

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