At the Computers Freedom and Privacy Conference here in Seattle, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announced its Policy Laundering Project.  What was most interesting to me was one of the examples of what they used to illustrate the need for their work in this area -- the insertion of RFIDs into passports. 

Now I am all for RFIDs -- think they could make real differences in supply chain management and asset control.  But using them to track people -- well I am not so sure the benefits outweigh the risks.  What is to prevent terrorists from using the same technology to target Americans when they are traveling?  In light of the terrible data protection practices now coming out, I am not confident that this additional data stream is going to be well protected.  If I carry my passport around with me, I cannot help but broadcast my nationality -- even when I believe doing so is not in my personal interest at that moment.  

Your thoughts?

Also check out the posting by Cory Doctorow on this topic.