Nike+iPod in RFID privacy scare

Security expert Bruce Schneier has highlighted privacy concerns around the Nike+iPod Sport Kit, a technology that lets people track time and other statistics while running.

He drew attention to a demonstration by researchers at the University of Washington of a surveillance system that automatically tracks people through the Nike+iPod Sport Kit, which consists of a wireless sensor that fits into Nike+ Air Zoom Moire sneakers and a small white receiver that plugs in to an iPod Nano.

"Basically, the kit contains a transmitter that you stick in your sneakers and a receiver you attach to your iPod. This allows you to track things like time, distance, pace and calories burned. Pretty clever," Schneier wrote on a blog post titled "Tracking People by their Sneakers", published on Tuesday. "However, it turns out that the transmitter in your sneaker can be read up to 60 feet away."

Because the radio frequency identification, or RFID, transmitter broadcasts a unique identifier, people can be tracked by it, the University of Washington researchers said in their paper on Nike+iPod Sport Kit (click for PDF). The team said they built a surveillance device, which cost about $250, and integrated the surveillance system with Google Maps.

"Details are in the paper," Schneier wrote. "Very scary."

A Nike representative said the sports apparel company had no immediate comment. Apple, which makes the iPod, said it had no comment on the matter.

Tom Espiner writes for ZDNet UK.