Demand for RFID blocking wallets grows due to security concerns as more states begin issuing driver’s licenses with embedded RFID chips
ANAHEIM, Calif., Sept. 19, 2008 — With New York State’s recent announcement that they had begun issuing RFID-encoded “Enhanced Driver’s Licenses” (EDL) they join a growing list of states that are promoting these credentials. This is in turn causing rising security and privacy concerns among citizens. The public’s growing concern and awareness is driving demand for Kena Kai’s patent-pending line of DataSafe(R) Wallets and travel accessories that are specifically designed to protect these new credentials.
New York State joins the states of Washington and Vermont that are currently issuing the new Enhanced Driver’s Licenses. These EDL are part of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) efforts to develop alternative documents to meet Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) implementation requirements at land and sea ports of entry. As more states begin to upgrade the credentials that they use for identification, and in many cases are considering or implementing radio frequency based technology, citizens have become concerned about their privacy, as many of these technologies would make them susceptible to tracking. Tracking is the ability of identifying a person via an item that they are carrying. In this scenario, the person would be potentially identified via their EDL due to the wireless signal that is transmitted back to the reader from the driver’s license. The potential to track someone via his or her ePassport or credit card would also be possible.
“People are realizing that this type of technology is here to stay, from their passports to their new ‘contactless credit cards’ and now their driver’s licenses,” offered Geb Masterson, president of Kena Kai. “They realize that they will soon be carrying a wallet full of items with this technology and that they might as well carry a wallet that is specifically designed to protect these new cards.”
Kena Kai’s unique DataSafe(R) wallets use a radio frequency (RF) shielding lining to protect today’s new driver’s licenses, credit cards and “ePassports” from wireless tracking, identity theft and credit card fraud.
“We now live in a time where we have less and less privacy due to the technology around us. Personally, I do not like the possibility that someone could track my whereabouts, and I certainly do not want to have to deal with identity theft or credit card fraud,” added Masterson.
The DataSafe Wallet line includes bi-folds, tri-folds, credit card wallets, women’s wallets, and passport holders in full-grain Italian leather. The DataSafe Wallets retail between $40 and $225 and are available at http://www.kenakai.com .
About Kena Kai
Kena Kai is a leading design boutique for stylish accessories. With a distinctive combination of style and innovation, Kena Kai designs products for people that appreciate how technology can often make their lives better and more secure.
Contact: Nelleke Gort, 714.782.7387,
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