Privacy watchdogs to discuss chip-enhanced licences
Last Updated: Tuesday, February 5, 2008 | 8:13 AM PT
CBC News
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Canada's privacy watchdogs will meet Tuesday afternoon in Victoria to discuss security concerns, including new technology being used in enhanced driver's licences.
The meeting of Information and Privacy Commissioners will consider the use of radio frequency identification technology — a data collection technology that uses radio waves to identify people or objects — in driver's licences.
"RFID technology would make it possible for governments to track individuals carrying enhanced driver's licences and access personal information stored on the card," said the office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada in a release issued Tuesday.
In January, British Columbia announced an enhanced driver's licence program that will involve 500 volunteers. The licences will be embedded with an RFID chip that can be scanned by border guards and used for entry at land and sea crossings into the U.S.
Proponents say RFID technology will help prevent the manufacture of counterfeit licences and protect against identity fraud.
But, privacy advocates say RFID allows for the surreptitious collection of information, posing serious privacy concerns for the consumer.
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