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RFID: The New Big Brother ?

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the break-out-the-tinfoil-hats dept.

Makarand writes "The possibility that we could be tracked not because we have a microchip implant but merely because we wear clothes, eat and carry objects around is real according to this article on C|net news. A technology called RFID (radio frequency identification) consisting of miniscule microchips the size of a single grain of sand that listen to a radio query and respond by transmitting their unique ID can make this possible. Most RFID tags use the power from the initial radio signal to transmit their response and hence can be placed anywhere imaginable. Retailers are adoring this concept and soon everything more expensive than a Snickers bar will sport RFID tags making tracking possible through our own personal possessions. The privacy threat comes when RFID tags remain active once you leave a store and currently the RFID industry seems to be giving 'mixed' signals about whether the tags will be disabled or left enabled by default."

13 of 554 comments (clear)

  1. Simple enough... by Fesh · · Score: 5, Funny

    Microwave clothes before wearing.

    --
    --Fesh
    Kill -9 'em all, let root@localhost sort 'em out.
    1. Re:Simple enough... by fleener · · Score: 5, Funny

      Finally, my privacy electromagnet will go mainstream. (Until now it was only used to plug into your Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie.)

      Fleener's Law: 80% of conspiracy theories come true in time.

  2. Wow... by Slarty · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's nutty. Soon anyone who cares about privacy is going to have to EMP themselves before they can go anywhere...

    --
    Hi... I'm Larry... the shivering chipmunk... brrrrr!... I'm cold... I need a sweater...
  3. See? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now I've got a reason for advocating nudity....

    1. Re:See? by radish · · Score: 5, Funny

      Hmmm....lets see...

      Nude LAN parties *shudder*

      Please take that thought out of my head!

      --

      ---- Den ene knappen er powerknapp, den andre er Bender voice knapp "Bite My Shiny Metal Ass"

  4. And they thought I was mad... by CommandNotFound · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...wearing my tinfoil suit, but who's laughing now?!?

    1. Re:And they thought I was mad... by mcgroarty · · Score: 5, Funny

      I just checked, and your foil suit's RFID is 208350830850934:0304. Sleep well...

  5. Sounds Good to Me by ksplatter · · Score: 5, Funny

    I hope My New Tracking Enabled T-shirt Has a Wear Anonymously Checkbox!

  6. This will answer the age old question... by delcielo · · Score: 5, Funny

    of where all the missing socks go.

    --
    Hot Damn! It's the Soggy Bottom Boys!
  7. Re:cool by swv3752 · · Score: 5, Funny

    And you expect to find this tricorder thingy if you can't keep track of a pencil?

    --
    Just a Tuna in the Sea of Life
  8. Even simpler by phorm · · Score: 5, Funny

    Don't wear clothes. When you're in court for indecent exposure, tell them that RFID tags have made current clothing violate your right to privacy/anonymity...

    That, or you could advertise a protect using your body...

    1. Re:Even simpler by jandrese · · Score: 5, Funny

      I hope you appreciate the irony of walking around naked to protect your privacy.

      --

      I read the internet for the articles.
  9. *ahem* Allow me. by gosand · · Score: 5, Funny
    This is Slashdot afterall, allow me to take a stab at it...

    Wow, so someone will know I'm wearing Timberland boots, Dockers pants, Oakley sunglasses, and an Izod shirt.

    You mean velcro closure Reeboks, sweatpants, prescription glasses, a Slashdot shirt, and a Members Only jacket.

    They won't know my name, address, phone number, age, social security number, sexual preference, number of pets, or marital status.

    Who cares, your parent's house, your parent's phone number, 16-40, who cares, who knows, 3 cats, and single.

    --

    My beliefs do not require that you agree with them.