Benetton Says No to RFIDs ... For Now

securitas writes "In a dramatic reversal of Benetton's previously announced plans to embed RFID tags in all of its clothing, the retailer has responded to customer privacy concerns and canceled its plans to go ahead with the project. Wired News and ComputerWorld also have stories on this stunning turn of events, which RFID manufacturer Philips is undoubtedly unhappy about. Benetton says it 'reserves the right' to use RFIDs in the future."

Comments

how many geeks wear Benetton???

[stonebeat.org]

I dont think many geeks wear Benetton. All I wear is the t-shirts/jackets I get from expos. So until they start putting tracking devices in those freebies, I am not worried.

Re:how many geeks wear Benetton???

[dr_dank]

When they put RFIDs the pocket protectors, I did not speak up.

When they put RFIDs in Members Only jackets, I did not speak up.

When they put RFIDs in sans-a-belt slacks, I did not speak up.

They put RFIDs in expo schwag. Now who will speak up for me?

Re:how many geeks wear Benetton???

[fenix down]

Why wouldn't they? You have an rfid, someday some of that flexible display stuff woven into the back, and if you don't buy anything from Microsoft within 30 days, your back starts flashing "ALLAH IS GREAT! DEATH TO AMERICA!" next time you go through a metal detector.

Truly, the future is a beautiful place.

maybe

[asv108]

They should worry about thier fashions instead of inventory. Seriously, the last time I remember Benetton being popular in the US was those bright logo sweatshirts from the mid-80's were everyone would roll up the sleeves, right around the members-only jacket phenomenon. I guess they are still popular in the EU?

Benetton: Clothing for Paranoiacs

[kinnell]

In response to customer requests, Benetton will be premiering their new "tin hat" range on the catwalks of New York, Paris and Milan.

Re:so they are included into clothing...

[Anonymous Coward]

am I able to reserve the right to remove them?

No, of course not! What are you? A terrorist? Off to the Camp X-ray!

Good Will

[Anonymous Coward]

They can already tell you bought your clothes at Good Will because of the piss stains all over them. Oh yeah, and the 70's fashion designs.

It turns out...

[egoff]

They'll just be imbedding them in customers.

Re:If they can be destroyed easily..

[RichMan]

Now make a portable zapper. Walk through various stores that emplot the RFID chips. Sit back and watch the fun. Culture Jammin' 21st century style.

Sort of like watching modern cash register jockeys coping during a power outage.

have to cancel my washing machine linux project

[Anonymous Coward]

Just installed the tag reader and the linux box, so my washing machine would finally know automatically what soap and which program to run on my clothes..

Remove them under your own risk

[fred911]

... look what happened to the counting sheep with
matress tags....

Re:If they can be destroyed easily..

[archeopterix]

Like a microwave oven?

Frying clothes in a microwave oven has disadvantages. First, a microwave oven usually smells of the last 20 meals prepared in it - some people might find it unpleasant (this is only a disadvantage if you meet people). Second, you risk burning the clothes (this is only a disadvantage if you don't like your clothes burned).

Re:so they are included into clothing...

[Anonymous Coward]

completely seperate color and I want them to be easily removed. If these two conditions aren't met, I am not going to buy them

If these 2 conditions aren't met, you're not going to know.

Re:so they are included into clothing...

[Junior J. Junior III]

The police can easily track nude people moving about in the populace, too. So boycotting RFID'd clothing probably isn't going to help...