RFID - Radio Frequency Identification Devices

An RFID chip

What are they?

RFID are tiny micro-electronic devices that can be inserted into products (even clothing) that will send a wireless identification number to an RFID reader. For example, if a palette of products shows up at the warehouse, an employee with a hand-held computer and attached RFID reader could scan the palette which would cause all the tags to respond with their unique identification code.

"…Amazon.com tried charging consumers different prices for the same items…but there has been no physical equivalent to the cookies [for brick and mortar stores]… until now." — From Spychips

The Problem

There are two major problems with RFID. 1) Business aren't thinking (or don't care) about the security consequences, only the profits (and there are plenty of profits to be made). 2) The governement are either unaware, unable, or unwilling to address the problem preemptively.

How they can be used legitimately

RFID will give companies a way to wireless track items both in shipping and in the store. It would be much harder to steal items from the warehouse or store shelves once this technology becomes better developed.

"…we can't help but wonder if a man would really want to broadcast his impotence problem by carrying spychipped Viagra that could be scanned across a dinner table." — From Spychips

How they can be used illegitimately

RFID will also give anyone the ability to scan you, your house, or your trash and learn things about you you would probably rather not have them know. For example, maybe because of a recent surgery, you've had to wear adult diapers during the recovery period. Perhaps you just bought a new HD plasma TV and would rather that the world couldn't tell just by driving by your house. Maybe you've thrown away some pregnacy test boxes and don't want to hear congratulations from the nosy neighbor with an RFID reader before you've even had a chance to tell your husband.

It gets worse. Not only does the RFID act as a wireless UPC code to tell someone what kind of product you bought, it has been designed as a unique tracking number that will allow someone to know which product you bought. For example, if you buy a certain wallet and this wallet has an RFID chip in it, anywhere you went, any interested party with an RFID scanner and connections to data sharing databases would be able to identify you individually from anyone else that bought a similar wallet.

"…RFID would give thieves a huge advantage to spy out valuables and identify easy marks." — From Spychips.

So you'll just buy a different wallet? That's great assuming that there even ARE any wallets without RFID in the future. Businesses can force technology by not offering alternatives.

Danger! Danger!

I consider the danger of RFID abuse to be one of the most important consumer issues of today. Make sure that you read my review of Spychips - How Major Corporations and Government Plan to Track Your Every Move with RFID and watch for developments in the RFID battle.