RFID Tags - Smart Idea or Invasion of Privacy?
Imagine living in a world where you could be track by the pair of shoes
that you just purchased at Wal-Mart or by a sweater that you just purchased
at the Gap. Without your knowledge, the product you purchased just might
be carrying a chip the size of a flake of pepper. These chips are
known as RFID (Radio Frequency Identity Chips) and they could be heading
to a supermarket near you.
RFID, is a controversial technology that
uses tiny microchips to track items from a distance. These chips have
been given the name "spy chips" as each of these chips contain a unique
identification number. It allows for things such as a Social Insurance
number to be read silently and undetected by radio waves. These chips
can be placed just about anywhere. From clothing tags to missiles and
to pet tags to the food that we eat, anywhere that a unique identification
system is needed or required. Essentially, these tags can carry simple information
such as a pet owners name and address or the cleaning instructions on a sweater.
RFID,
tags on the whole, are a very useful and from a technology point of view, a very
intriguing idea. These tags allow retailers to reduce inventory as well as reducing
the number of thefts. They are also very useful in automobile assembly plants.
They are used to move cars through an assembly line and at each stage of production
the RFID
tag tells the computer what the next stage of production should be.
In theory these chips are a great idea, but as consumers we have a right to know
whether or not the item that we have just purchased has a RFID tag. Retailers
need to provide the consumer with information that the product that they just
purchased contains one of these RFID tags. Once the product leaves the store
product is no longer a part of the inventory and therefore the RFID tag should
somehow be disabled. One could only imagine the danger these tags presented if
they were to stay active once they left the store. The individual who just purchased
that product could potentially be tracked to their home and it is at this point
that a persons privacy becomes the main issue. Sure these tags are a great idea
but where do we draw the line between efficiency and someone's privacy.
The RFID tags at this point are not ready for mass consumer production
and at present are not on many of the products that we purchase. There
are companies however that would like to start using these chips in
the near future. If companies are going to use these tags to keep track
of their products, they should be placed in plain site of the consumer
so that they know exactly what they are looking at. Companies should
also consider putting these tags on the packaging of the product rather
than the product itself. Be sure to check out the "Hot Tips" section
for just a few of the companies that are listed as sponsors the RFID
technology.
There is no doubt that the face of technology is constantly changing. We have
a world of information at our fingertips that we didn't have 10 to 20 years ago.
These RFID tags are all well and good, however, when our privacy is put into
question, we really need to sit back and take a second look. Besides, does the
whole world really need to know what is going on in our lives.
About the Author:
Bill Wardell Is the Senior Editor/Creator/Developer of Online
Security Authority, the Author of "Don't Take Candy From Strangers" and
a Authority Site Center Certified Coach. Speaker and Radio Show
Host, Publisher, Researcher and National Radio Guest! Your
Online Security Authority
