Yet another Magic Band question: Safety issues

[lawgirl]

If there is a thread already, please kindly direct me. I'm curious as to safety ramifications for the magic bands. So theoretically, anyone with a "RFID" reader could scan your band from a distance, and then do what? Get into your hotel room and steal all your stuff?

I'm very curious as to what are your thoughts on safety and privacy. And how closely do you think Disney will be monitoring potential hackers?

Thanks

[Polynesian Dweller]

If there is a thread already, please kindly direct me. I'm curious as to safety ramifications for the magic bands. So theoretically, anyone with a "RFID" reader could scan your band from a distance, and then do what? Get into your hotel room and steal all your stuff?

I'm very curious as to what are your thoughts on safety and privacy. And how closely do you think Disney will be monitoring potential hackers?

Thanks

This has been discussed many times.
First, these are very near field and have to be almost touched to be read.

Two, the only thing on the band is an encoded number that identifies the band to the Disney servers. There is no information stored on the band. The communication is essentially encoded number to server and an authorization for the transaction back to the reader not the band. No personal information is exchanged. To get any info on you they'd have to hack Disney servers.

Three, to enter your room they'd have to know which room is yours and there is nothing on the band to tell anyone that.

Four, all monetary transactions require a pin that you enter secretly at checkin.

So, no security issues with the bands.

[lawgirl]

Thanks for the info! I am not too worried about it, but really appreciate your info.

[WiltonJohn]

First, these are very near field and have to be almost touched to be read.

We found this last week when we were there to get them to light up the mating scanners for the gates and attractions and POS systems, and such ........ HOWEVER........

The literature and the user agreemenet that came with them said specifically that LONG RANGE scanners in the parks can access them also. That fact was very clear in the wording, and was clearly part of the overall mission of implementing them. They mentioned that if you did not want long rang scanning, you could opt for the old key cards that ONLY were short range.

SO....... maybe it is not as simple as it seems.

best,

..................john

[Butters]

I heard the long range readers only pick up location for crowd control, short range is needed for any type of transaction.

[DizneyFreak2002]

I heard the long range readers only pick up location for crowd control, short range is needed for any type of transaction.

Not just for crowd control... But also to know where Butters is at all times... And yes, Disney will now know when Butters walked into the Emporium, how long Butters was in Emporium, what section of the store Butters spent the most time looking in... The data base they create on Butters will determine if Butters is an asset to Disney or a liability (meaning, they are not making enough money off you) and this information will be used to either help to make your vacation better (if you are a big spender you'll get a ton of perks) or not (if not your trips won't be as magical)...

This isn't a bash on Disney, per se... But this is the future of WDW... They no longer are in the Guest Satisfaction business... You are a product, a product they desire to squeeze dry... And if you don't play their game, well...

[Ms. Mode]

I understood that as of TODAY you can no longer get the card...everything will be Magic Band, isn't that correct?

Also, I think I'm spending pretty big with a Disney Vacation @ four digits...the rest is just icing on the cake.

[lawgirl]

I understood that as of TODAY you can no longer get the card...everything will be Magic Band, isn't that correct?

Also, I think I'm spending pretty big with a Disney Vacation @ four digits...the rest is just icing on the cake.

I read on the Disney site that there is a non-RFID card in addition to the band for those concerned with privacy issues. Also, something to do with pacemakers and similar.

And yes, at 4 figures every year, sometimes twice, over the past 30 years, I'd say we've spent pretty big with Disney. I know they are a business, and have to make profit, but I hope it doesn't diminish my trip.

[lawgirl]

I understood that as of TODAY you can no longer get the card...everything will be Magic Band, isn't that correct?

Also, I think I'm spending pretty big with a Disney Vacation @ four digits...the rest is just icing on the cake.

From the Disney site:
"Guests participating in MyMagic+ always have the option to use a card instead of a MagicBand. Guests can also choose whether to use their RF Device to make purchases at select Resort locations."

[1DisneyNut]

RFID could easily be compromised but the likelyhood at WDW considering all the surveillance it is unlikely. A would be criminal that would do RFID cloning will realize the likelyhood of getting away with it at WDW is slim. Tech savvy teenagers that could easily do it aren't sitting around with idle time to get bored at WDW so that shouldn't be an issue either.

There will be optional cards available for those who either can't for medical reasons or do not wish to use the bands.

[MickeysBestPal]

I read on the Disney site that there is a non-RFID card in addition to the band for those concerned with privacy issues. Also, something to do with pacemakers and similar.

The card DOES contain an RFID chip.
But, it does not contain the battery-powered RFID long-range transmitter that's in the MagicBands.

These cards do not affect pacemakers and the like, as they don't transmit RFID.
The chip only activates when placed within a specific RF field
(which at WDW means touching the card to a Mickey Head sensor.)