IBM’s RFID solutions just got more robust, offering a new clipped tag, allowing users to prevent the chip from broadcasting details about the item to which the chip is affixed.

IBM’s “Clipped Tag” is giving consumers the ability to simply “opt out” and protect their privacy by tearing or scratching off the RFID antennae, eliminating the tag’s ability to communicate with other devices or systems.

I’ve included a diagram of how the RFID “Clipped Tag” Works (is there any length to which this blog wont go to bring you the best yada yada yada). One noteworthy feature is that the clipping doesn’t render the RFID tag unusable… it merely disables the antenna severely limiting its range. This allows the chip to still function at very close range for things like a warrantee return or for legal evidence in a piracy or bootlegging type case. I think this is a good compromise.

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