Concerns Over Security Risks as Low-Tech Enemies Could Use RFID to Track Military Movements
A new investigation by the Associated Press has revealed potential security risks associated with the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tracking tags by the U.S. military. While RFID technology is widely used in civilian life, its integration into military firearms could inadvertently expose troops to detection by enemies, even those with low-tech capabilities.
RFID tags embedded in weapons allow for more efficient inventory management, cutting down the time required for tasks such as weapon distribution and counts. However, these small, passive tags emit signals that, although helpful in armories, could serve as tracking beacons in the field. The invisible signals may allow adversaries to pinpoint the location of U.S. military personnel, presenting a new vulnerability on the battlefield.