Free Software Advocate Attracts U.N. Security After Blocking RFID Tags

K.C. Jones, TechWeb News

GNU founder Richard Stallman wrapped his RFID-equipped badge in aluminum
foil at the U.N. World Summit on the Information Society, and found his
travel blocked by U.N. security.

A GNU expert's talk was welcomed at the U.N. World Summit on the
Information Society. His stance on RFID was not.

Richard Stallman, GNU founder and featured speaker at the gathering in
Tunisia last week, was held by U.N. security after wrapping his
identification badge in foil, according to Bruce Perens, vice president
of developer relations and policy for SourceLabs.

Stallman, who opposes RFID because of the technology's potential for
privacy invasions, objected to wearing the badge because it could track
him as he moved around at the summit. Organizers said the technology
would not be used since objections were raised over use at the 2003
summit in Geneva, according to Perens.
Stallman was still in Tunisia Tuesday and could not be reached for comment.

Stallman, founder of the Free Software Foundation, reportedly unwrapped
his badge only to pass through readers.

He briefly addressed the RFID issue during a speaker's panel, passed a
roll of aluminum foil around the room and encouraged several people to
follow suit, according to Perens' eyewitness account. U.N. security
watched in the crowded room until speeches and an open discussion were
finished.

Perens said he left to speak with reporters and heard later from several
attendees that security would not allow Stallman to leave. Once they
allowed Stallman to exit, they prevented him from entering another room,
where he was scheduled to appear, according to Perens.

"I got to the room just as the panel was about to start, at the moment
that the problem suddenly evaporated and Richard was allowed to enter,"
Perens wrote on his company's Web site. "No doubt some of our UN hosts
had been dealing with security during those two hours, and eventually
got an order from a high-enough officer or something. We'll probably
never know how, but imagine the headlines: Kofi Annan Frees Richard
Stallman."

Perens said Stallman recounted the incident as people gathered for the
next panel.

Representatives from the summit could not be reached for comment and did
not immediately respond to an e-mail inquiry.

During an interview Tuesday, Perens said he understood the need for
intense security at a world summit taking place a mere train ride from
Libya. He said he believes Stallman also understood it, but a bar code
system could have been used.
Perens said he shares some of Stallman's concerns about RFID.

"There really is something to this RFID issue," he said. "People aren't
really thinking about just what is happening when you put one on and
that there could be a record of who was in what room with whom."

Perens said he was at a company conference where the technology was used
at entrance rooms for seminars to determine whether employees actually
attended or spent the time loafing.

"I think that's probably more of an intrusion than an employee should
have to put up with even though it's the employer's time," he said.

Perens said he also sees potential for government abuse of the technology.

"Much as the president is there to protect the people of the United
States, I can't say that I approve of his politics" he said. "Thus, when
tools like this are in people like his hands, I'm concerned."

Perens explained that Stallman doesn't want to be subtle about sticking
with his beliefs.

"He won't have a cellphone because he doesn't have one yet that runs on
free software," he said. "Richard is willing to put up with a good deal
of inconvenience to stay true to his own beliefs."

Stallman is opposed to U.S. plans for RFID in passports next year.
Perens said that he has heard they may come in foil jackets to prevent
abuse and theft.

Though foil could be crafted as an antenna to amplify radio signals,
Perens believes that completely wrapping an object in foil does block them.

"Of course, the devil's in the details," he said.