No RFID Skimming in WA

State of Washington makes RFID skimming illegal with signing of new law, developed by Representative Jeff Morris. ...

... "But a new law sponsored by state Rep. Jeff Morris, D - Mount Vernon, and signed by Governor Gregoire today, will provide consumers better protection from these spy technologies used to collect your personal information without your consent. The technology is called radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips and by some accounts, their uses haven't even been fully realized. That's why commercial industries are pouring billions - with the potential to gain as much - into the technology to track who you are, where you go, what you buy, and what you do with it. " ...

RFID Law Prohibits Malicious Spying on Consumers

RFID Skimming Bill in Washington

Washington State legislation looks to guard privacy when RFID technology is in use. ...

... "Any person that sells or issues an electronic communication device to a consumer that is not disabled, deactivated, or removed at the point of sale or issuance must clearly and conspicuously label the electronic communication device. The label must contain a universally accepted symbol for radio frequency
11 identification technology. The label shall be affixed to the electronic communication device or its packaging and must be clear and conspicuous. " ...

Via Washington State Legislator: HB1031 (PDF)

RFID EDL Enhanced Driver License System

Digimarc partners with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) to implement the new Enhanced Driver License (EDL). The Enhanced Driver License has traditional security features and also features digital watermark, RFID identification chip, and a machine readable zone. The EDL supports the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which requires all citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes identity and nationality to enter or re‑enter the United States from within the Western Hemisphere. ...

... "Washington DOL and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have agreed to run an initiative that allows the EDL to be used as an alternative travel document to re-enter the United States through sea and land border crossings. Digimarc will supply Washington DOL with applicant enrollment and screening solutions as well as production of the RFID-enabled EDL. Washington's enhanced driver license system will utilize Digimarc applicant screening solutions to verify an applicant's identity documents; data such as name and address; and facial biometrics to ensure that only one license is issued to one legitimate card holder. Digimarc launched ExianSmart, its chip-enabled driver license solution last year in anticipation of States' needs for new applications of the driver license. The Digimarc ExianSmart driver license for Washington will include RFID technology that is compatible with the DHS Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative program. This will offer a convenient and cost-effective option for citizens to carry a single credential that meets their driving, identity, and land and sea border crossing needs. " ...

Via Digimarc: Digimarc will provide the Washington State Department of Licensing with applicant enrollment and screening solutions, and produce the state's RFID-enabled Enhanced Driver License

WA-State RFID License Border Pilot

Washington will pilot RFID-enabled driver's license for border crossings. ...

... "The alternative license will contain a Radio Frequency Identification chip, commonly known as RFID, which the guard booths will use to scan the license as a traveler or trucker pulls up to the booth. " ...

Via Seattle Post-Intelligencer: RFID Border Pilot

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: "The U.S. Department of Homeland Security signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the State of Washington to launch a pilot program that will enhance the security of state driver's licenses and potentially serve as an acceptable alternative document for crossing the United States' land and sea borders. The Washington pilot program is one possible compliance alternative to Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requirements. As early as January 2008, U.S. citizens reentering the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, or Bermuda by land or sea, including ferries, may be required to present a valid U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security.

The enhanced driver's license will be slightly more expensive than a standard Washington state driver's license and will require proof of citizenship, identity, and residence, as well as contain security features similar to a U.S. passport. "