A transponder with a disrupting signal source to shut down the transponder. The transponder may use an RFID chip. The disrupting signal source can be an electrical signal source electrically coupled to the RFID chip, for example capacitively coupled. The disruptive signal source can also be a radiation source, for example an infrared source. The disrupting signal source can be connected to a receiver to allow the transponder to be shut down remotely. Multiple transponders as described can be combined to form a multi-transponder device in which transponders can be shut down selectively.