Spam & spyware
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Renewed speculations about RFID in Euro notes
The September edition of the German industry magazine Die Bank contains renewed speculation about the introduction of spy-chips in the Euro banknotes. The article discusses three possible new measures against the counterfeiting of the notes; a new biological paint, a colour-switch foil and the introduction of RFIDs (Radio Frequency Identification Devices) on every note. The […]
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Article 29 consultations on RFID and DRM
The EU Data Protection Working Party is calling for public comments on two working documents on emerging technologies. One document explores the privacy implications of RFID chips, the other document covers digital management of rights systems (DRM). The RFID document outlines the potential use of RFID technology in various sectors and the need to comply […]
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Total surveillance visitors World Cup Germany
Think twice before buying a ticket to the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. You can only apply for tickets online, and in order to obtain a ticket you will have to answer a questionnaire demanding a lot of personal data. This profile will be linked to a mini spy chip (RFID) on the ticket. […]
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New rumours about spy chips in Euro notes
There is a renewed rumour that the European Central Bank is going to add spy chips (RFIDs) to Euro banknotes. ‘Czerwensky intern’, a German newsletter providing bank and insurance background reports, says the ECB might have already signed contracts with Hitachi, and is ready to introduce the spy-notes this year. Allegedly, the contract requires such […]
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Answer to RFID consultation Italian privacy authority
The Italian data protection authority (Garante della Privacy) has opened a consultation on privacy issues related to RFID tags, loyalty cards, digital TV (pay per view etc.) and video-telephoning. The Italian Winston Smith project (defending e-privacy since 1999) has responded with a specific legal proposal to control the use of RFID-tags. These mini-chips are becoming […]
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More than 400 million EU Citizens and residents to be fingerprinted
The European Union’s Council of Ministers has decided, during its meeting yesterday, Monday, 13 December, to treat 400 million EU subjects like criminals. By the beginning of 2008, every EU citizen and resident – with the exception of people living on the British isles and possibly in Denmark – will be fingerprinted when applying for […]
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Danish Hearing on RFID
On 24 November 2004 in Denmark a hearing was held on RFID and pervasive computing. During the hearing, a first draft of an industry code of conduct (drafted by Danish Industry, The Danish Consumer Council and the Danish Trade and Service Association) was presented, together with a report on the technical and legal challenges and […]
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EU governments want 2 biometric identifiers for every citizen
On 25 October 2004 Members of the Europarliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) voted on a proposal from the Council of Ministers to include a biometric identifier in EU passports and visas of travellers with EU destinations. While the MEPs were discussing the technical implications and privacy guarantees, behind their back […]
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Big Brother Awards presented in Austria, Germany and Spain
Last week Big Brother Awards were presented in 3 different countries to a wide range of government officials, companies and institutions for violating privacy and promoting extensive control over citizens lives. Seville in Spain hosted the 50st BBA event held worldwide on 30 October 2004, 6 years since Privacy International invented the ceremony in London. […]
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Biometrics: EU Council wants to fingerprint every EU citizen
The European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) will vote today in Strasbourg on two important reports on the introduction of biometric identifiers in EU travel documents. Both reports – on “Visas, residence permits: uniform format, photo, biometric identification” and on “Biometrics in EU citizens’ passports” are shepherded by MEP Carlos […]
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RFID workshop FIfF anniversary conference
The RFID workshop organised during the FIfF anniversary conference (Berlin, 30 September – 3 October 2004) offered an excellent overview of the technical issues and privacy questions. Robert Gehring introduced the history of RFID, and explained passive chips were first used in World War II air-planes to detect the proximity of enemy planes. The chips […]
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EU Commission wants to RFID everything
EU COMMISSION WANTS TO RFID EVERYTHING The European Commission considers it to be part of the Lisbon Strategy – and therefore a top priority – ‘to have smart dust and tag everything’ with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). The point was made by Rosalie Zobel, Director of the Information Society Technologies (IST) programme at the Commission, […]
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