A method and device for selecting one or more transponders, in particular backscatter-based transponders, from a plurality of transponders by a base station, which method is based on a slotted ALOHA method, in which the base station defines numbered time slots and a random number generated in a given transponder determines a time slot when the transponder transmits its transponder-specific identification to the base station. The random number is generated in a given transponder with the aid of a random number generator, the relevant random number generator is switched into a counter operating mode after reception of a selection command transmitted by the base station, while a count state of the random number generator is decremented or incremented when the base station transmits the start of a time slot, the relevant transponder transmits a transponder-specific identification to the base station if the count state of its random number generator is equal to a predetermined value, and the relevant random number generator is then switched back into the operating mode for random number generation.