Hello Troller/Fishing Rod/Whoever You Are,

FR>Air passengers to be tagged?

FR>Questions have been raised at the European Union about a Brussels-
FR>funded project, in which Greece is participating, that could lead to
FR>air passengers being electronically tagged when they check in for
FR>flights, Kathimerini has learned.

FR>The project, known as Optag, is based at a research center at
FR>University College London but the telecommunication systems institute
FR>of the Technical University of Crete in Hania is also taking part in
FR>the scheme.

FR>Hungarian and French firms are also participating in the program,
FR>which began in 2005.

FR>The main aim of Optag is to allow airports to be fitted with a network
FR>of cameras and RFID (radio frequency ID) tag readers, which would
FR>monitor the movements of passengers inside the airport.

FR>Travelers would be issued with a tag at check-in and the surveillance
FR>system would allow airport authorities to track them within the
FR>terminal buildings.

You got a problem with that?

FR>The system is being designed so that airlines can quickly locate late
FR>passengers, who are estimated to be responsible for 10 percent of
FR>flight delays.

Damn housewives!  Always forgetting to put on their makeup!

FR>However, electronic tagging can also be used for security purposes and
FR>there are fears that this may lead to the constant monitoring of
FR>passengers and an invasion of their privacy.

It's the damn housewives!  Spending too much time in the ladies' room!

FR>New Democracy MEP Nikos Vakalis recently raised the issue with the
FR>European Commission.

What the hell does he know?  He's a guy!

FR>In a written response EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini said the
FR>tagging system will only be used if passengers agree to be monitored
FR>or if a law is passed making the use of the system mandatory.

I see.  It is always the guys' fault...

FR>The tags do not store any data but emit a signal containing a unique
FR>ID which authorities can use to cross-reference with passenger
FR>identification information.

Oh, yeah?  You ever try to track a housewife?  Good luck...

FR>Experts say that biometric data could be incorporated into this system
FR>in the future.

Women.  You can't live with 'em, and you can't live without 'em.  So
whattaya gonna do?  Tag 'em?  It ain't as if they can pee standing up...

FR>If the tagging scheme is tested successfully, it could be ready to use
FR>at international airports within two years.

Oh, lovely.  Us guys always gets the blame...

FR>http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100010_10/02/2007_799

I sure am glad I ain't a woman...

--Lee


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