Invasion of the RFIDs: are we heading towards "Modern Times"?

RFIDs (Radio Frequency Identification tags) are small integrated circuits connected to an antenna, which can respond to an interrogating RF signal with simple identifying information, or with more complex signals. The main objective of these tags is to store data and make it readily available as well as ensuring that it is safely stored in or on the object or person that is concerned by the data as well as making counterfeiting of objects more difficult, if not impossible. RFIDs have been introduced in the filament of Euro banknotes in an attempt to keep track of money movements both when ransoms are requested in non-consecutive notes and in transactions where up to today cash was used to guarantee anonymity. RF scanners will most probably be installed in airports, train stations in order to catch people attempting to move large sums of money out or around countries. This measure should, in theory, reduce tax evasion as well as terrorist activities, including arms and drugs dealing. In principle, when sensitive data is stored, there should be certain level of security involved in its protection. Data on RFIDs cannot, at present, be encrypted. Physically, a RFID cannot easily be stolen if it is implanted in a person’s arm but, a hacker with a suitable RF scanner, could access the data with greater ease and without the victim even noticing. This paper aims at analysing the implications of introducing RFIDs in the filament of the Euro notes as well as discerning the pros and cons of using this technology in various scenarios and studying the psychological impacts and repercussions of crimes related to the theft and use of the data acquired by the perpetrators. The introduction of RFIDs in paper money will most probably bring about a certain level of discomfort as it will inevitably be perceived as a key factor of control upon our lives.