What is NFC?

You’ve probably already used near field communication (NFC) when you make contactless payments or when you scan your passport to set up the MyID or driving licence app. It’s all via NFC. But what is NFC and why is it great to use in apps?

NFC stands for Near Field Communication and is a network technology that makes it possible to connect and exchange data when two devices with NFC technology are held close to each other. An NFC chip can be “dormant” but is activated when an NFC reader is within 5-10 cm.

The technology has been around for quite a few years, and smartphones in particular have made extensive use of NFC, which has created entirely new possibilities for the rapid exchange of data between compatible devices. The technology is ideal for automated identification, data transfer and interaction with physical devices – and plays an important role in modern IT solutions.

Is NFC a safe technology to use?

Yes, NFC is absolutely approved and safe to use for any purpose.

This is why it is also used as a payment system on smartphones. The electromagnetic field generated when using the technology is so small (5-10 cm) that no one around us in the supermarket queue, for example, would be able to access the data being transferred.

In addition, NFC tags can be secured in several ways so that only certain devices and/or apps can read/write to them.

For example, tags can be made read-only so that no data can be written to them after they have left the factory. Another option is to set up a tag so that you can only write to it if you have the right password.

You can also set a tag to be inactive – and thus invisible to all other NFC devices – until a device with the right “activate” message comes near it, after which the tag will be readable. Devices without the correct message will not be able to recognise that there is a tag at all.