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RFID ban shelved in California
Calling "a time-out" on plans to block tracking technology...

By Alorie Gilbert

Published: Tuesday 30 August 2005

California legislators have shelved a controversial bill that would have blocked the use of RFID technology being applied to drivers' licences and other state documentation.

The Identity Information Protection Act of 2005, or SB 628, was designed to address concerns that new high-tech IDs could facilitate the broad monitoring of citizens. Members of the state's influential high-tech industry have lobbied against the bill, arguing that they're developing privacy and security safeguards which would remove such concerns.

On Thursday, the Assembly's Appropriations Committee decided to sideline the proposed law until next year.

A spokeswoman for the American Electronics Association, which opposes the RFID-quashing bill, said the group is particularly concerned about any kind of broad ban on the technology, which it claims will help deter forgeries.

The spokeswoman said: "This bill has moved far too quickly, is too complex and has not received thorough vetting or discussion. We're really pleased to have a time-out and a more thorough discussion of the benefits of the technology and the possible ramifications, positive or negative, of this bill."

The bill's author, Senator Joe Simitian, a Palo Alto Democrat said he remains determined to advance the bill forward before the legislative session ends on 9 September.