Get the latest tech news

Is this the end for the magnetic stripe?


Once common on tickets and cardkeys the magnetic stripe is being phased out.

For years, Steven Murdoch, a security researcher at University College London, had taken care not to put tickets or cards with magnetic stripes in his pocket next to his smartphone. Mr Minter is keen to stress the potential of thermally printed paper tickets, much like receipts, which are now being used in trials at multiple rail stations around the UK. Magstripe has hung around for so long partly because it is relatively cheap and the specifications for reading machines were put in place many decades ago, says Stephen Cranfield at Barnes International, which makes equipment for magnetic stripe testing.

Get the Android app

Or read this on BBC News

Read more on:

Photo of end

end

Photo of magnetic stripe

magnetic stripe

Related news:

News photo

NASA pushes decision on bringing crew back in Starliner to the end of August

News photo

Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS Delayed To End Of Month

News photo

Drahi Is Making Good on Pledge to Sell Assets. But to What End?