RFID: The New Big Brother ?

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."

Comments

Good for the environment

[CrazyJoel]

If you find a Snickers wrapper on the ground you could read its RFID and track it back to the person who bought it and fine him for littering.

cool

[tps12]

This is actually just what I've been wishing for. You know when you've misplaced something in your house (my favorite pencil, for a recent example from my own life, though "house" is maybe being charitable), and you spend hours tearing everything apart and then it turns out that it's just lying there somewhere in plain sight?

I always wish, both during and after such a quest, that I could have just whipped out a tricorder (or device of a similar form factor) and scanned for whatever I'm missing, and it would start beeping or blinking on the screen or whatever. It would save hours of time for all but the most type A people.

It would also be a boon on the golf course. And for finding your kids when they wander off at Disneyland. Really, all I can think about is good applications of this technology, so bring it on!

Defense

[tiedyejeremy]

Topless Bars and Horsetracks will likely be the first places to devise RFID shields, offering safe havens for their customers!

Another way to go.

[Absurd Being]

Coat yourself with hundreds of thousands of the little tags. A chaotic radio shout in reply to a sensing whisper should make the devices less than usefull. Bury these buggers in information.

They are in your tires now...

[swordboy]

RFID Tires

Imagine the possibilities... There's a video on that site for anyone willing to dig. I'd rather not slashdot it (28 megs). This technology was initially used to ship and track tires as a replacement to the old bar codes, but now, the boys in the tinfoil hats are detecting RFID activity on the freeways and border crossings...

Auto manufacturers are programming the VIN number into the tire at assembly. It is only a matter of time before this becomes a requirement.

Um... what's the big deal?

[Wakko Warner]

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

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

So what the hell's the big deal? Or are we all just being slash-paranoid?

- A.P.

Re:Simple enough...

[mcrbids]

This would actually work!

I used to own a computer store, and we had problems when we had a "flaky" motherboard that would boot but was unreliable, and was still under warranty.

The distributor would set it up, see it do something, and send it back to us. To fix this, we'd put it into a microwave oven for 3 seconds before shipping it back.

That'd cook the chips on the motherboard without leaving any visible sign of problems. It would then show no signs of working, and they'd give us a whole new motherboard, and everybody was happy.

Worked for RAM chips, video cards, sound cards, modems, etc. although we had the most trouble with motherboards.

So why is this "funny"? Should be "informative"...