August 21, 2008 RFID technology used to find alleged flaws in MBTA system Play video

(NECN: Boston, Mass.) - The case of three MIT students ordered to cancel a presentation at a Las Vegas Hackers Convention is being followed by many.

The group says they found flaws in the MBTA's automated fare system.

The MBTA currently uses two types of technology -- the CharlieTicket, a paper ticket with a magnetic stripe that stores the value of one ticket at a time; and Radio Frequency Identification Technology -- plastic CharlieCards that use radio frequency.

Right before the convention, a federal judge stepped in and barred the students from revealing their findings.

Tim Miller of the Museum of Science in Boston joins NECN to talk about the technology involved.

www.mos.org