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Gillette Pulls RFID Tags In UK Amid Protests

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the less-tabs-kept-the-better dept.

akb writes "Indymedia UK is reporting that after protests against the trial of RFID tags by Gillette at a Tesco store in Cambridge, increasing press coverage, a boycott, and the growing mobilisation of campaigners against the intrusive use of the technology, Gillette have withdrawn their trial. RFID (Radio Frequency ID) tags are small tags containing a microchip which can be 'read' by radio sensors over short distances (for background see SchNEWS Feature / 2 part Guardian Article)."

11 of 376 comments (clear)

  1. So, basically... by nacturation · · Score: 3, Funny

    Gillette is going to know where you shave in the morning?

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  2. Acronym misrepresented by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny
    RFID (Radio Frequency ID) tags
    Please stop expanding the acronym in this manner. RFID actually stands for "Really Fucking Intrusive Dongle." :)

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  3. Re:protest by cliffy2000 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Eyes have the potential problem of a thief scanning your house to see what you have inside. Slashdotters unite! We must band together to ban optic nerves!

  4. Mark of the Beast, Part 2! by cliffy2000 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Yeah... if you think Luddite ultra-right-wing militia men are paranoid right now, wait until RFID becomes widespread. UPC codes will become a relic of the past in their conspiracy theories.

  5. Re:Are there any good uses? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Try fluttering your eyelashes at him.

  6. In Store Theft by Kryptic+Knight · · Score: 3, Funny

    My local Boots (UK wide Chemists) has pulled most brands of blades from their shelving because of theft.

    At 6 for a pack of 4 or 5 blades you can see why they are trying to introduce tracking. In the meantime, if I want to purchase I have to go across to the perfumery counter (on the other side of the store) and ask for the item.

    Then I wander down to the checkout with them. ... hmm does anyone see the obvious glitch in their new security protocol?

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    1. Re:In Store Theft by Zog+The+Undeniable · · Score: 3, Funny

      And, according to popular culture, when you go up to a chemist's counter and ask for razor blades, the assistant always assumes you really wanted condoms but you bottled it!

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  7. Re:RFIDs are Meaningless by slashnik · · Score: 3, Funny

    It is not a simple case of removing the tag when you leave the store. These tags will be sewn behind labels and in seams.

    Some of the tags are read-write. What is written to the tag at the point of purchase is up to the retailer. Date sold, price paid, customer number (linked to credit records).

    In addition it is possible to not only identify the product number but also configure a serial number.

    So as you walk through the door of the store, You can be identified by your shoes and jacket. The store now that you only ever buy during the sale, you have a bad credit payment history and that you wareing your wife's underware.

    slashnik

  8. How big? by fuzzix · · Score: 4, Funny

    "in March, Benetton was also forced to announce it was not about to insert 15m RFID tags into its Sisley clothing range after an avalanche of consumer complaints"

    I think I might notice a 15 metre chip on my T-Shirt...

  9. The subject line is too descriptive, it should be by Gax · · Score: 4, Funny

    ... Gillette pull RFID tags in UK after several cutting remarks.

    Thank you, thank you. I'm here to Monday.

  10. Re:Are there any good uses? by onion2k · · Score: 4, Funny

    They'd notice if you stole an employee.

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