SpyChips & RFID

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											http://www.spychips.com/media/katherine-albrecht.html

											http://www.spychips.com
 http://www.nocards.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

											February 12, 2007

											OOPS! DID VERICHIP HAVE A "SENIOR 
											MOMENT?"

											Human Chipping Company Omits Salient 
											Risks from IPO Disclosure

											VeriChip Corporation, the much-hated 
											purveyor of the VeriChip human ID

											implant, is airing its dirty laundry 
											this week. This is not by choice,

											mind you, but because the Securities 
											and Exchange Commission (SEC)

											required the company to disclose its 
											"risk factors" prior to launching

											its initial public offering of stock 
											(IPO) Friday.

											The company lays out nearly 20 pages 
											of risk factors in its Form S-1

											Registration Statement, a required 
											document for the IPO. But what the

											company failed to reveal in its 
											filing may be even more eye-opening, 
											say

											CASPIAN privacy advocates Dr. 
											Katherine Albrecht and Liz McIntyre. 
											The

											pair, authors of the "Spychips" 
											series of books, have been vocal 
											critics

											of VeriChip, dogging the company in 
											recent years and facing down its

											senior executives on radio and 
											national television.

											"Potential investors should be told 
											how a hacker can simply walk by a

											chipped person and clone his or her 
											VeriChip signal, a threat

											demonstrated by security researcher 
											Jonathan Westhues months ago," says

											McIntyre, who is a former federal 
											bank examiner. 

											"Omitting the cloning threat from 
											its SEC documents is a serious

											oversight that could affect the 
											value of VeriChip's stock. This is

											materially relevant information, 
											considering VeriChip's claim that 
											its

											product could be used to tighten 
											security in facilities like nuclear

											power plants," she adds.

											(For more on VeriChip's 
											vulnerability to hacking, see "The 
											RFID Hacking

											Underground,' Wired Magazine,

											http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.05/rfid_pr.html 
											)

											Verichip also failed to disclose to 
											investors and the SEC that patients'

											VeriChip implants might not be 
											readable in ambulances. VeriChip's

											chipping kit literature cautions 
											that ambient radio waves, like those 
											in

											ambulances, can interfere with the 
											equipment that reads the implanted

											tags, but this important fact 
											somehow didn't make its way into the 
											SEC filing.   

											(Scanned images of VeriChip's 
											chipping kit literature, including 
											the

											ambulance caution, are available 
											here:

											http://www.spychips.com/verichip/verichip-photos-instructions.html 
											)

											Even with crucial information 
											missing, investors may still find

											themselves scratching their heads 
											over poorly conceived aspects of

											VeriChip's business model. "Anyone 
											reading VeriChip's SEC filing would

											have second thoughts about the 
											stock," says Albrecht. "Who, after 
											all,

											would invest in a company that 
											expects patients to document their 
											own

											medical history and blood type in a 
											database? This could prove risky 

											for anyone, not to mention the 
											elderly, Alzheimer's, and 
											cognitively

											impaired patients that VeriChip is 
											targeting."

											She cites a passage from the 
											registration statement that reads, 
											"we

											anticipate that individuals 
											implanted with our microchip will 
											take

											responsibility for inputting all of 
											their information into our 

											database, including personal health 
											records."

											Other risks identified in the 
											VeriChip filing could also scare 
											investors

											away. These include anticipation of 
											ongoing multi-million dollar loses,

											the "modest" number of people 
											willing to get chipped, public 
											opposition,

											and the risk that the microchip may 
											be found to damage a person's

											health. The company also warns that 
											it could be subject to lawsuits and

											loss of confidence if its patient 
											database is unavailable in an

											emergency. The company admits that 
											the database has been unavailable in 
											the past.

											The market seemed to be catching on 
											to some of these problems as

											VeriChip began offering stock Friday 
											in a bid to raise million of

											dollars to fund its human chipping 
											operations. Analysts noted a

											"lukewarm reaction" to the stock and 
											that it was trading on "the low 

											end of the expected range." 

											To read the VeriChip Form S-1 
											Registration Statement (Amendment 
											No. 7)see:

											http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1347022/000119312507024937/ds1a.htm

											The VeriChip implant is a glass 
											encapsulated RFID tag that is 
											injected

											into the flesh to uniquely number 
											and identify individuals. The tag 
											can

											be read by radio waves from a few 
											inches away. The highly 
											controversial

											device is being marketed as a way to 
											access secure areas, link to

											medical records, and serve as a 
											payment instrument when associated 
											with

											a credit card or pre-paid account.
FOR IMMEDIATE 
											RELEASE
December 6, 2006

SENATE BANKING COMMITTEE MEMBER 
											DENOUNCES "NO-SWIPE" CREDIT CARDS
"It's About Time," says CASPIAN

A member of the Senate Banking 
											Committee denounced RFID "no-swipe"
credit cards at a press conference 
											Sunday. Senator Charles Schumer
(D-NY) said contracts for the cards 
											should have warning boxes disclosing
"the known weaknesses of the 
											technology." He cautioned 
											cardholders about
their vulnerability to identity 
											thieves, commenting you "may as well 
											put
your credit card information on a 
											big sign on your back."

"No-swipe" or "contactless" credit 
											cards contain RFID microchips that
communicate account information 
											silently and invisibly by radio 
											waves.
These microchips have earned the 
											nickname "spychips" because the
information they contain can be read 
											without an individual's knowledge or 
											consent.

While Congress is just waking up to 
											the dangers of RFID technology,
privacy and civil liberties 
											organizations like CASPIAN have been
sounding the alarm for years.

"It's about time for Capitol Hill to 
											recognize the dangers of RFID,"
said Dr. Katherine Albrecht, Founder 
											and Director of CASPIAN (Consumers
Against Supermarket Privacy Invasion 
											and Numbering). "Perhaps now
members of Congress will listen to 
											their concerned constituents and 
											work
to pass long overdue bipartisan 
											RFID 
											labeling legislation not only for
credit cards, but other 
											RFID-tagged 
											consumer items as well."

CASPIAN has had model RFID labeling 
											legislation titled "The RFID Right
to Know Act" available to federal 
											lawmakers since 2003. (See

											http://www.spychips.com/right-to-know-bill.html.) 
											The legislation was
authored by by Zoë Davidson of the 
											Boston University Legislative 
											Clinic.

While CASPIAN supports free-market 
											solutions to the problems of privacy
invading technologies like 
											RFID, the 
											group believes consumer notice is
needed so the free market can work. 
											"We believe consumers have a right
to know when the things they wear, 
											carry, and interact with contain
tracking devices--especially credit 
											cards that can leak sensitive
personal information," said Liz 
											McIntyre, CASPIAN's communications 
											director. 

McIntyre, a former federal bank 
											examiner, points out that vulnerable
"swipeless" technology not only 
											poses a threat to customers, but to 
											the
financial institutions that have 
											issued millions of contactless 
											cards,
as well. "What excuse will 
											organizations like JP Morgan Chase 
											make if
consumers are harmed financially 
											because they have their personal
information siphoned by identity 
											thieves? These issuers stand to lose 
											millions of dollars."

CASPIAN demanded a recall of 
											RFID 
											credit cards last month after the 
											New
York Times reported that a team of 
											security researchers found that
virtually every one of the 
											"no-swipe" credit cards it tested 
											was
vulnerable to unauthorized charges 
											and put consumers at risk for 
											identity theft.

Researchers demonstrated how thieves 
											could secretly skim information
from the cards, right through 
											purses, backpacks and wallets. The 
											data
included the cardholder's name, 
											credit card number, expiration date 
											and
other information that could be used 
											to make unauthorized purchases. 

Albrecht and McIntyre are offering 
											to testify before Congress about
their extensive research into the 
											dangers posed by RFID, and to send a
copy of their book "Spychips: How 
											Major Corporations and Government 
											Plan
to Track Your Every Purchase and 
											Watch Your Every Move" 
											(Penguin/Plume
Oct. 2006) to interested federal 
											legislators.

=========================================
TO LEARN MORE

New York Times article about 
											"no-swipe" credit card 
											vulnerabilities: 

											http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/23/business/23card.html

Security researcher's detailed 
											report on "no-swipe" cards: 

											http://www.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/business/20061023_CARD/fc2007-submission.pdf

FOR IMMEDIATE 
											RELEASE
November 16, 2006

TOMMY THOMPSON: THE "CHIPPER" 
											PRESIDENT?
Election Bid Raises Specter of 
											RFID 
											Implant Threat

Former U.S. Secretary of Health and 
											Human Services Tommy Thompson is
considering a run for president in 
											2008, a move that should spark alarm
among those familiar with Thompson's 
											calls for widespread RFID chipping
of Americans. The authors of 
											"Spychips," Dr. Katherine Albrecht 
											and Liz
McIntyre, who closely monitor the 
											RFID industry, caution that his
position on the Board of the 
											VeriChip Corporation and his stock 
											options
in the company make Thompson one of 
											the most dangerous figures in
American politics today. 

As head of Health of Health and 
											Human Services, Thompson oversaw the
scandal-ridden FDA when it approved 
											the VeriChip as a medical device.
Shortly after leaving his cabinet 
											post, he joined the board of the

											VeriChip Corporation and wasted no 
											time in using his clout to promote
the company's glass encapsulated 
											RFID tags. These tags are injected 
											into
human flesh to uniquely number and 
											identify people.

In public appearances, Thompson has 
											suggested implanting the microchips
into Americans to link to their 
											electronic medical records. "It's 
											very
beneficial and it's going to be 
											extremely helpful and it's a giant 
											step
forward to getting what we call an 
											electronic medical record for all
Americans," he told CBS MarketWatch 
											in July 2005. He also suggested
implanting military personnel with 
											the chips to replace dog tags.

Thompson's desire to run for 
											president is not mere speculation. 
											Media
outlets in his home state of 
											Wisconsin, where he served four 
											terms as
governor, have confirmed Thompson is 
											laying the foundation for a
presidential bid. His wife Sue Ann 
											has told reporters that the family
has discussed his candidacy and that 
											"He should give it a try. He's got
a lot of good ideas." Thompson 
											himself has stated, "There's no 
											question I'm interested.”"

Thompson is considered a long-shot 
											for the Republican nomination, but
his influence shouldn't be 
											discounted, says McIntyre. "Despite 
											his
folksy manner, he's a savvy 
											politician whose Washington 
											connections run
deep, and he's got a vested interest 
											in chipping America." She points
out that Thompson has an option on 
											more than 150,000 shares of 
											VeriChip 
											stock.

Right now those options aren't worth 
											much. Security flaws and public
squeamishness have hurt the 
											company's sales, resulting in losses 
											of millions of dollars.

"It will take a considerable shift 
											in public perception to chip enough
Americans to turn all that red ink 
											to black," Albrecht observes. "It
concerns us that Thompson would have 
											a financial interest in having
people roll up their sleeves while 
											aiming for such an influential 
											office." 

Ironically, Thompson himself has not 
											yet received a microchip implant

											despite what must be extraordinary 
											pressure from the VeriChip
Corporation. He made a promise to do 
											so on national television over a 
											year ago.

"Given the unpopularity of the 
											VeriChip and people's concern it 
											could  be
abused, Thompson has been wise to 
											avoid getting chipped himself," says
Albrecht. "Getting chipped would 
											would be political suicide for any
politician. Even if he remains 
											chip-free as we hope, the American 
											people
should still be wary of him."

FOR IMMEDIATE 
											RELEASE
October 23, 2006

CONSUMER WATCHDOGS DEMAND RECALL OF 
											SPYCHIPPED CREDIT CARDS 
CASPIAN Advises Consumers to 
											Immediately Remove Cards from 
											Wallets

Consumer watchdog group CASPIAN is 
											demanding a recall of millions of

											RFID-equipped contactless credit 
											cards in light of serious security
flaws reported today in the
											New York Times. The paper 
											reports that a
team of security researchers has 
											found that virtually every one of 
											these
cards tested is vulnerable to 
											unauthorized charges and puts 
											consumers at
risk for identity theft.

Radio Frequency Identification 
											(RFID) is a controversial technology 
											that
uses tiny microchips to 
											transmit information at a distance. 
											These RFID
microchips have earned the nickname 
											"spychips" because the data they
contain can be read silently and 
											invisibly by radio waves without an
individual's knowledge or consent. 
											The technology has long been the
target of criticism by privacy and 
											civil liberties groups.

"For these financial institutions to 
											put RFID in credit cards, one of
the most sensitive items we carry, 
											is absolute lunacy," said Dr.
Katherine Albrecht, founder and 
											director of CASPIAN, a consumer 
											group
with over 12,000 members in 30 
											countries worldwide.

Researchers are showing how a thief 
											could skim information from the
cards right through purses, 
											backpacks and wallets. This 
											information
includes the cardholder's name, 
											credit card number, expiration date 
											and
other data that would be sufficient 
											to make unauthorized purchases. 
They say the information could even 
											be used to identify and track 
											people, a
scenario Albrecht and co-author Liz 
											McIntyre lay out in their book,
"Spychips: How Major Corporations 
											and Government Plan to Track Your
Every Purchase and Watch Your Every 
											Move."

Despite earlier assurances by the 
											issuing companies that the data
contained in the credit cards would 
											be secure, researchers found that
the majority of cards they tested 
											did not use encryption or protect 
											the
data in any way. The information on 
											them was readily available to
unauthorized parties using equipment 
											that could be assembled for as
little as $50, the researchers said.

"We cautioned companies against 
											using item-level RFID, and they 
											didn't
heed us. Now the credit card 
											industry is facing an unprecedented 
											PR and
financial disaster," says McIntyre, 
											who is also a former bank examiner.
She points to the astronomical cost 
											to replace the cards, not to mention
the potential financial losses, 
											litigation expenses, and erosion of 
											consumer trust.

Albrecht and McIntyre are calling on 
											the industry to issue a public
alert detailing the dangers of the 
											cards they've issued, institute an
active recall, and make safe 
											versions without RFID available to 
											concerned consumers. 

"This recall has to be very clear 
											and very directed since consumers 
											may
not know their cards contain 
											RFID 
											tags," says Albrecht. "The industry
has repeatedly resisted calls to 
											clearly label the cards. Rather,
they've given the cards 
											innocent-sounding names like 
											'Blink.'" 

CASPIAN is advising consumers to 
											immediately remove the credit cards
from their wallets and call the 800 
											number on the back to insist on an

											RFID-free replacement card. The 
											group is cautioning consumers not to
mail the cards back or simply throw 
											them away due to the risk of their
personal information being skimmed.

Today's
											New York Times article by 
											John Schwartz can be found here: 

											http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/23/business/23card.html?ref=business

A research report detailing the 
											findings can be found here: 

											http://www.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/business/20061023_CARD/techreport.pdf
==========================================

ABOUT CASPIAN

CASPIAN (Consumers Against 
											Supermarket Privacy Invasion and 
											Numbering)
is a grass-roots consumer group 
											fighting retail surveillance schemes
since 1999. With thousands of 
											members in all 50 U.S. states and 
											over 30
countries worldwide, CASPIAN seeks 
											to educate consumers about marketing
strategies that invade their privacy 
											and encourage privacy-conscious
shopping habits across the retail 
											spectrum.

For more information, visit 
											CASPIAN's RFID privacy website at:

											http://www.spychips.com

FOR IMMEDIATE 
											RELEASE
September 28, 2006

"SPYCHIPS" PAPERBACK RELEASED BY 
											PENGUIN/PLUME THIS WEEK 
Authors Predict Public Backlash as 
											RFID Plans Reach Consumers En Masse

As the Penguin/Plume paperback 
											version of the award-winning book
"Spychips" hits bookstores this 
											week, the authors are anticipating 
											an
intensified consumer backlash 
											against companies like Procter & 
											Gamble
and Wal-Mart. "You can't read the 
											offensive corporate schemes revealed
in this book and not be infuriated 
											with them," say authors Katherine
Albrecht and Liz McIntyre.

The eye-opening work about the 
											downsides of Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) has already 
											shaken the industry and prompted
legislative initiatives worldwide. 
											Now that a newly updated version is
being distributed by a division of 
											Penguin, the second-largest
English-language trade book 
											publisher in the world, it will 
											circulate to
an even larger audience.

RFID is a controversial technology 
											that uses tiny microchips to track

											everyday objects, animals, and even 
											people from a distance. These RFID
microchips have earned the nickname 
											"spychips" because each contains a
unique identification number, like a 
											Social Security number for things,
that can be read silently and 
											invisibly by radio waves.

"We've caught major companies 
											red-handed proposing uses for the
technology that most people would 
											find frightening and abhorrent," say
the authors. "We combed over 30,000 
											documents in putting this book
together, and the evidence is 
											airtight. They can't deny the patent
applications on file at the United 
											States Patent and Trademark Office,
and they can't retract their own 
											words."

Revelations in the book include 
											IBM’s “PERSON TRACKING UNIT” that 
											can
remotely scan the contents of 
											women's purses and track unwitting 
											members
of the public through 
											RFID-tagged 
											objects they are wearing and 
											carrying.
IBM suggests that marketers and 
											government agents could use the 
											device
to scan people in places like retail 
											stores, libraries, theaters,
elevators, and even public 
											restrooms. Other companies like 
											Procter &
Gamble, Phillips, NCR, and Bank of 
											America are also implicated in
"Spychips" through public documents 
											that detail their own people 
											tracking plans.

The book's social impact has been 
											likened to that of Rachel Carson's
"Silent Spring," which alerted a 
											generation to the dangers of 
											unbridled
pesticide use. "Spychips" has earned 
											critical acclaim and garnered a
passionate following in privacy and 
											civil liberties circles. Now its
backing by Penguin/Plume and its 
											availability in a low-cost paperback
edition will take it to the next 
											level of public awareness.

SPYCHIPS: How Major Corporations and 
											Government Plan to Track Your Every
Purchase and Watch Your Every Move

Katherine Albrecht and Liz McIntyre
On-Sale: September 26th, 2006/Price: 
											$15.00/ISBN: 0-452-28766-9
A Plume Original Trade Paperback

Visit Plume on the web at 
											www.penguin.com

FOR IMMEDIATE 
											RELEASE
August 14, 2006

TSA CONCEPT VIDEO SHOWS FUTURE 
											RFID-ENABLED AIRPORT
SpyChips in Passports May be Just 
											the Start, Warn Privacy Advocates

RFID-laced passports may be just the 
											start of an Orwellian airport
experience, warn privacy advocates 
											and authors Katherine Albrecht and
Liz McIntyre as the nation braces 
											for a rollout of the controversial
technology in passports this week.

They point to a U.S. Transportation 
											Security Administration (TSA)
concept video created by CompEx Inc. 
											that shows how citizens can be
tracked and monitored throughout an 
											airport terminal -- without their
knowledge or consent.

The animated flash clip is posted on 
											the authors' website at:

											http://www.spychips.com/RFIDairport.html

In the video, citizen "Bob" is 
											remotely identified and tracked via 
											Radio
Frequency Identification (RFID) 
											devices as he enters an airport and
navigates to his gate. The video 
											ends with chilling frames of a
government agent surreptitiously 
											scanning Bob and his belongings as 
											he
sits in the waiting area. 

CompEx Inc. President Aram Kovach, 
											who developed the film as a demo for
the TSA, received a U.S. Patent for 
											the idea he calls "Method for
Tracking and Processing Passengers 
											and their Transported Articles" in
November of 2005.  According to 
											company press releases, TSA 
											officials
entertained his ideas twice, once in 
											2002 and once in 2003, and 
"offered to direct CompEx in 
											pursuing a segmented objective 
											within the 
guidelines they have set forth."

"This footage raises the specter of 
											Soviet-style government surveillance
creeping onto our free soil," said 
											McIntyre. "People need to know that
our government has actively 
											considered these disturbing and 
											invasive
RFID concepts. With 
											RFID now 
											appearing in our passports, the 
											threat to
our privacy and civil liberties may 
											be more than theoretical."

"RFID passports will do little to 
											keep us safer," Albrecht added. "On
the contrary, by requiring us to 
											carry RFID tags in our travel
documents, the government is 
											jeopardizing our personal 
											information while
doing little to slow down the bad 
											guys."

The new passports are vulnerable to 
											hacking and cloning by criminals.
Last week at the Black Hat security 
											conference in
											Las Vegas, German
researcher Lukas Grunwald showed how 
											easily a criminal or terrorist
could clone 
											RFID tags like those in 
											U.S. passports using inexpensive 
and readily available hardware.

FOR IMMEDIATE 
											RELEASE
August 9, 2006

AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS DENIES 
											RFID USE
Crisis PR Firm Disavows 
											Incriminating Video on Eve of Major 
											Conference

On the eve of a major 
											RFID apparel 
											and footwear conference, privacy
activists are asking questions about 
											an Orwellian industry video
presentation depicting the use of 
											Radio Frequency Identification at an
American Eagle Outfitters store. The 
											animated video, created by
technology integrator CompEx Inc., 
											depicts how a retailer could embed
the controversial technology into 
											clothing and credit cards to 
											secretly
identify and track consumers--even 
											deliver targeted marketing messages.

"American Eagle Outfitters has 
											assured us that it is not using 
											RFID 
											in
its stores or operations, and we 
											applaud them for that. But consumers
need to know that this technology 
											exists and what it could mean for
them. We have documentation showing 
											that other companies are looking
closely at these types of invasive 
											applications," said Liz McIntyre and
Katherine Albrecht, co-authors of 
											"SpyChips: How Major Corporations 
											and
Government Plan to Track Your Every 
											Move with RFID." 

The video shows a consumer walking 
											into an American Eagle Outfitters
store, being remotely identified 
											through the American Eagle 
											Outfitters
credit card in his pocket, and 
											purchasing items with RFID tags 
											hidden in
the store's branded clothing. The 
											graphic footage concludes with a
full-facial biometric scan conducted 
											through a pinhole camera at 
											checkout. 

The animated flash clip is posted on 
											the authors' website at: 

											http://www.spychips.com/RFIDclothingstoredemo.html

Although the footage was created in 
											2002, its disclosure yesterday had
an immediate impact on senior 
											management at American Eagle 
											Outfitters.
McIntyre says that within minutes of 
											sending the video clip to an
executive at American Eagle, she 
											received a call from Ed Nebb, senior
director of investor relations and 
											crisis communications at Berns
Communications Group. He issued the 
											following statement:

"American Eagle currently does not 
											use any RFID systems, either in
supply chain management, consumer 
											credit card or loyalty programs, or
anywhere else within our operations. 
											We highly value and respect our
customers' privacy. The fact that a 
											vendor may have offered a system
demonstration should not be 
											interpreted as an intention on our 
											part to
adopt such a system in the future."

CompEx Inc. President Aram Kovach, 
											who developed the video, told

											McIntyre that American Eagle 
											Outfitters had requested the RFID
demonstration. "They asked us to 
											come out," he said, explaining that 
											the
executives later traveled to 
											Kovach's office in
											Ohio to see a working 
											prototype.

The RFID tracking capability 
											depicted in the video is feasible. 
											"It
worked," Kovach said. "All of these 
											things can be done." But he noted
that the cost of the tags was a big 
											barrier to adoption.

McIntyre and Albrecht worry that 
											companies deterred by cost issues 
											may
be reviving such plans now that the 
											price of tags has dropped below the 
											$.08-cent range.

They point to the 
											RFID Apparel and 
											Footwear Conference to be held at

New York's Fashion Institute of 
											Technology next week as a reason for
concern. The event, co-sponsored by 
											RFID Journal and the American
Apparel and Footwear Association, 
											promises "to show you how 
											RFID can
uniquely benefit the apparel and 
											footwear industry." However, unlike
past 
											RFID events, where members of 
											the press were welcomed, the
promotional literature for the 
											conference states:

"The entire conference is off limits 
											to the press, so you can be sure
you'll get candid insider insight 
											that you can't hear anywhere else."

"It's clear that implementing 
											RFID 
											in apparel and footwear is being
discussed behind closed doors," said 
											Albrecht. "Our concern is that the
companies working to integrate 
											RFID 
											into clothing operations are keeping
their plans from the public. A case 
											in point is Levi Strauss, which is
selling clothes with 
											RFID hang tags 
											attached, but refusing to disclose
the test location."

The pair is asking the conference 
											sponsors to explain the need for
secrecy at their event. "What is it 
											they're discussing that they don't
want the press to know?" Albrecht 
											asks. "The press restriction is
obviously not designed to keep 
											proprietary information from 
											industry
competitors, since any apparel or 
											footwear company can attend the 
											event
at a discounted rate. Clearly, 
											excluding the press is an attempt to

											prevent the public from learning 
											about the industry's plans to use 
											RFID
tracking devices in clothing."

Albrecht and McIntyre have posted a 
											promotional email for the conference
that specifies the press restriction 
											at: 

											http://www.spychips.com/RFIDApparelandFootwearConference.html

========================================================================
For Immediate 
											Release
June 12, 2006

SPYCHIPS CO-AUTHOR ADDS HER VOICE TO 
											"NO NATIONAL ID" MOVEMENT
Dr. Katherine Albrecht to address 
											Christian rally

Consumer privacy expert Dr. 
											Katherine Albrecht will be a 
											featured
speaker at the No National ID rally 
											in Dallas, Texas this weekend. The
event, hosted by Endtime Ministries, 
											is expected to draw 5,000 to 8,000
											attendees.

The rally is being organized in 
											response to the REAL ID Act, federal
legislation that mandates 
											standardized driver's licenses for 
											all
Americans by 2008. Under the plan, a 
											REAL ID compliant driver's license
will  be needed to board a 
											plane, open a bank account, or enter 
											a
federal building. Critics have 
											called it a de facto national ID 
											card.

The plan has drawn widespread 
											criticism from civil libertarians,
citizens groups, and religious 
											leaders across the political 
											spectrum. 
In
											addition to Endtime Ministries, 
											other opposition voices include the
ACLU, the conservative CATO 
											Institute, the Presbyterian Church, 
											the
Jewish Labor Committee, and the 
											American Friends Service Committee
(Quakers), to name just a few. 

Endtime Ministries is encouraging 
											Americans to take the No National ID
pledge on its website,
											http://www.NoNationalID.com. 
											Concerned citizens
who have taken the "No National ID 
											Pledge" vow they will not knowingly
vote for any politician who does not 
											commit to the repeal of the Real 
											ID
											Act. 

The original goal for the pledge was 
											10,000 commitments. "Already, that
goal has been vastly exceeded," says 
											Endtime's Craig Treadwell,
											director
of the campaign. "We have received 
											over 20,000 pledges so far, and more
continue to pour in each day. This 
											is truly a hot button issue for the
Christian community." 

Albrecht cautions that a de facto 
											national ID card will not only lay
											the
foundations for a police state, but 
											the consolidation of sensitive data
will put citizens at risk of 
											identity theft, create a 
											bureaucratic
nightmare, and cost a fortune. 

"America has always been a free 
											country," says Albrecht. "This is 
											not a
totalitarian regime where 
											authorities can demand 'Your papers, 
											please'
											of its citizens.
We have to put a 
											stop to the encroaching police state while we still can."

The No National ID rally will take 
											place at the Garland Special Events
Center this Saturday, June 17, 2006 
											at 6:00 pm. The event is free to 
											the
											public. 

Albrecht will speak on privacy 
											issues related to identification
technologies and will hold a book 
											signing after the event. 

For more information call: 
											972.530.0100 or visit:

											http://www.EndtimeDallasConference.com
											<---Site Is Down

========================================

About Katherine Albrecht, Ed. D.

Dr. Katherine Albrecht is a consumer 
											privacy expert who regularly 
											speaks
to audiences across Europe and North 
											America on the impact of new
technologies, with an emphasis on 
											RFID and retail issues. She is the
co-author, along with Liz McIntyre, 
											of the award-winning "Spychips: How
Major Corporations and Government 
											Plan to Track your Every Move with

											RFID" and "The Spychips Threat," a 
											Christian version of the book.
Katherine is the head of CASPIAN, a 
											13,000 member grass-roots consumer
privacy group she founded in 1999. 
											She holds a Doctorate in Education
from Harvard University, with a 
											research emphasis in consumer 
											privacy
											and psychology.    

========================================

A personal note to our subscribers: 
											To celebrate my recent graduation
(see:
											http://www.spychips.com/blog/2006/06/dr_albrecht_finally.html) 
											I
will be taking a break from email 
											until the end of June. I will be
unable to personally reply to 
											messages until then.

I hope to see you in Dallas!

-Katherine

=====================================================================

CASPIAN: Consumers Against 
											Supermarket Privacy Invasion and 
											Numbering
Opposing supermarket loyalty cards 
											and other retail surveillance
schemes since 1999

											http://www.spychips.com/

											http://www.nocards.org/

=====================================================================
FOR IMMEDIATE 
											RELEASE
June 6, 2006

											SPANISH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES WARNED 
											ABOUT RFID
"Spychips" Translation Released 
											Today

A Spanish-language version of the 
											award-winning book "Spychips: How
Major Corporations and Government 
											Plan to Track Your Every Move with

											RFID" is being released today in 
											Latin American countries, including
Mexico, Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, 
											and Chile. The initial distribution
will be to Christian bookstores, 
											with general distribution to follow
later this summer. The controversial 
											work about the downsides of Radio
Frequency Identification was 
											originally published in English by

American
											authors Katherine Albrecht and Liz 
											McIntyre.

Radio Frequency Identification 
											(RFID) is a controversial technology
											that
uses tiny microchips to track 
											everyday objects, animals, and even
											people
from a distance. These 
											RFID 
											microchips have earned the nickname
"spychips" because each contains a 
											unique identification number, like a
Social Security number for things, 
											that can be read silently and
invisibly by radio waves.

"It is very important that we get 
											the word out to Latin America," says
McIntyre. "The 
											RFID industry has 
											been targeting Hispanic people with
this technology, believing they are 
											not as informed about its dangers
for privacy and civil liberties. We 
											hope that making 'Spychips' broadly
available in Spanish will sound the 
											alarm."

McIntyre points to trials of the 
											technology that have been taking 
											place
in Mexico as an example of how Latin 
											Americans have been used as human
guinea pigs by U.S. companies to 
											test this new technology. One case 
											in
point is the Levi-Strauss company, 
											maker of Levi's and Dockers brand
clothing. The company started 
											tagging garments in a franchise 
											store 
											near
Mexico City last year and expanded 
											its trials to two stores there
											earlier this year.

Latin 
											America has also been eyed as a 
											target for human-implantable RFID
chips marketed by the 
											VeriChip 
											Corporation. In 2004, employees in 
											the
Mexican Attorney General's office 
											were implanted to access secure 
											areas,
and recently there has been talk of 
											chipping Latin Americans who wish

to
											work in the United States. 

President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia 
											said he would consider chipping
Colombian citizens who seek 
											employment in the United States. 
Reportedly,
the 
											VeriChip Corporation has been in 
											talks with Washington about how 
											its
chip could be used to register guest 
											workers, verify their identities 
											as
they cross the border, and be used 
											for enforcement purposes at the
											employer level. 

"The problem with 
											RFID is that it is 
											tracking technology, plain and
simple," Albrecht warns. "The 
											industry is trying to downplay the
											dangers
and create incentives to spread 
											spychips around the world. Once
Spanish-speakers read our book and 
											realize big companies and 
											governments
want to use this technology to track 
											them in public places and control
their movements, we believe they 
											will say 'no' to RFID."

Albrecht adds that she expects many 
											Hispanics will connect implantable

											RFID technology to biblical 
											prophesies that warn against marking 
											and
numbering human beings. "Many people 
											in Latin America are devout
Christians who will see this as much 
											more than a privacy and civil
											liberties concern."

FOR IMMEDIATE 
											RELEASE
May 31, 2006

WISCONSIN BANS FORCED HUMAN 
											RFID 
											CHIPPING
Groundbreaking Law 
											Spotlights Opposition to VeriChip

Civil libertarians cheered yesterday 
											upon news that Wisconsin Governor
Jim Doyle signed a law making it a 
											crime to require an individual to be
implanted with a microchip. 
											Activists and authors Katherine 
											Albrecht 
											and
Liz McIntyre joined the celebration, 
											predicting this move will spell
trouble for the 
											VeriChip 
											Corporation, maker of the VeriChip 
											human
											microchip implant.

The 
											VeriChip is a glass encapsulated 
											Radio Frequency Identification tag
that is injected into the flesh to 
											uniquely number and identify people.
The tag can be read silently and 
											invisibly by radio waves from up to 
											a
foot or more away, right through 
											clothing. The highly controversial
device is also being marketed as a 
											way to access secure areas, link to
medical records, and serve as a 
											payment device when associated with 
											a
											credit card.

"We're not even aware of anyone 
											attempting to forcibly implant
microchips into people," says 
											Albrecht. "That lawmakers felt this
legislation was necessary indicates 
											a growing concern that the 
											company's
product could pose a serious threat 
											to the public down the road."

Although the company emphasizes that 
											its chip is strictly voluntary,
recent statements suggest this could 
											easily change. VeriChip Chairman 
											of
the Board Scott Silverman has been 
											promoting the VeriChip as a partial
solution to immigration concerns, 
											proposing it as a way to register
guest workers, verify their 
											identities as they cross the border, 
											and 
"be
											used for enforcement purposes at the 
											employer level." He told
interviewers on the Fox News Channel 
											that the company has "talked to
many people in Washington about 
											using it."

The company has also confirmed it 
											has been in talks with the Pentagon
about replacing military dog tags 
											with VeriChip implants.

Wisconsin's anti-human-chipping law 
											comes at a particularly bad time 
											for
VeriChip Corporation because it has 
											an initial public offering of its
stock in the works, McIntyre 
											observes. "The company has been 
											losing
millions of dollars and has been 
											counting on public acceptance to 
											stem
its losses and prove its future. The 
											people have spoken. They don't 
											want
RFID devices in their flesh, and we 
											expect other states will join
Wisconsin in prohibiting forced 
											chipping."

Albrecht and McIntyre have dogged 
											the VeriChip Corporation, revealing
medical and security flaws in its 
											human chip and warning about its
serious privacy and civil liberties 
											downsides in their book "Spychips:
How Major Corporations and 
											Government Plan to Track Your Every 
											Move 
											with
											RFID."

Wisconsin's new law was introduced 
											as Assembly Bill 290 by
Representative Marlin D. Schneider 
											(D) and was passed unanimously by
both houses of the Wisconsin State 
											Legislature this spring. The law
makes it illegal to require an 
											individual to have a microchip 
											implant
and subjects a violator to a fine of 
											up to $10,000 per day. 

=================================================================================

ABOUT THE BOOK

"Spychips: How Major Corporations 
											and Government Plan to Track your
Every Move with 
											RFID" (Nelson 
											Current) was released in October 
											2005.
Already in its fifth printing, 
											"Spychips" is the winner of the 2006
Lysander Spooner Award for Advancing 
											the Literature of Liberty and has
received wide critical acclaim. 
											Authored by Harvard doctoral 
											researcher
Katherine Albrecht and former bank 
											examiner Liz McIntyre, the book is
meticulously researched, drawing on 
											patent documents, corporate source
materials, conference proceedings, 
											and firsthand interviews to paint a
convincing -- and frightening -- 
											picture of the threat posed by RFID.

Despite its hundreds of footnotes 
											and academic-level accuracy, the 
											book
remains lively and readable 
											according to critics, who have 
											called it a
"techno-thriller" and "a masterpiece 
											of technocriticism."

The Spanish-language version of the 
											book, titled "Chips Espias," will

be
											available in bookstores in the 
											Americas and Spain starting June 6,
											2006.

==============================================================================

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Katherine Albrecht (kma@spychips.com) 
											877-287-5854 ext. 1
or
Liz McIntyre (liz@spychips.com) 
											877-287-5854 ext. 2
or
Claudia Duncan, Grupo Nelson 
											Publicist
(cduncan@thomasnelson.com) 
											615-902-1871
============================================================
What critics are saying about 
											"Spychips," the book:
============================================================

"This is the first, and maybe the 
											loudest, popular book on a 
crucial technology of our 
											times...all of it is fascinating,

some is gross and revolting, and 
											most of it is hilarious...
this is a masterpiece of 
											technocriticism."
    --From the foreword by Bruce Sterling, best-selling
        author and technology commentator

Spychips "makes a stunningly 
											powerful argument against 
plans for 
											RFID being mapped out by 
											government agencies, retail 
and manufacturing companies." 

    --Evan Schuman, CIO Insight

"The book makes a very persuasive 
											case that some of America's
biggest companies want to embed 
											tracking technology into 
virtually everything we own, and 
											then study our usage patterns 
24 hours a day. It's a truly creepy 
											book and well worth 
reading."
    --Hiawatha Bray, Boston Globe technology reporter

"Brilliantly written...so full of 
											fascinating vignettes and 
facts that I can't put it down."
    --Author Claire Wolfe

"Spychips is one of the best privacy 
											books in many years....
The privacy movement needs a book. I 
											nominate Spychips."
    - Marc Rotenberg, Executive Director of the Electronic 

        Privacy Information Center (EPIC)

=====================================================================

CASPIAN: Consumers Against 
											Supermarket Privacy Invasion and 
											Numbering
Opposing supermarket loyalty cards 
											and other retail surveillance
											schemes since 1999

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Primary Objectives