Some people say that the technology planned for an enhanced drivers’ license system that will allow Vermonters to return to the United States from Canada without a passport is insecure and a threat to privacy.
They say the radio frequency identification chips to be used in them were designed to monitor shipments of cargo, not people.
Critic Randy Vanderhoff of the Smart Card Alliance says he doesn’t know of any potential misuses of the technology.
Vermont Motor Vehicles Commissioner Bonnie Rutledge says the chips in the enhanced licenses won’t contain any personal information, and would be of no use to a third party.
Vermont’s voluntary program is due to begin about a year from now.