RFID Privacy Issues

SUNTIMES -- While IT managers see immediate supply chain benefits to RFID, some privacy advocates send up red flares in warning. The Chicago Sun-Times uncovered a test done by Wal-Mart in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, where RFID tags on Max Factor Lipfinity lipstick containers alerted Procter & Gamble researchers when the lipstick left the shelf. Hidden webcams could be used to view consumers in the aisles as part of the test. Wal-Mart cancelled a test of its RFID tags in a Boston store prior to acknowledging the Oklahoma activities.

Dan Gillmor thinks "we need a law to regulate the use of these radio tags," perhaps "technology that lets consumers turn them off when they leave stores."

Should we publish the names of the merchants who publicly announce they kill RFID emissions at the cash till?

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Dan Gillmor -- Wal-Mart, P&G Snoop on Customers"
Chicago Sun-Times -- "P&G, Wal-Mart store did secret test of RFID"
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