Positive ID

The linked CNET article reports on the "Real ID Act" recently passed by the US House of Representatives. It would give the Dept. of Homeland Security authority to set standards for drivers licenses. As supporters say, it's not the same as a national ID, because compliance on the part of states is voluntary. Of course, if a state doesn't comply, residents won't be able to do things like fly.

I think a business opportunity stems from the following: " In the United States, the federal government is planning to embed RFID chips in all U.S. passports and some foreign visitor's documents." I can imagine people wanting passport covers that block the RFID chip from transmitting. Otherwise, anyone with relatively simple equipment will be able to scan tourists walking by to find out who the Americans are (even if they can't read the personal information stored on the chips -- a big if).