If you have been reading here for a while you will remember my rant on these RFID tags that companies are claiming will not violate your privacy. But a recent test that Walmart did still have some people skeptical. My take on it is that when the cost of the devices makes it worthwhile and as technology improves someone could simply drive by your house and know you buying habits.
Will it come to this doubtful but it does make you wonder that when Walmart can do inventory control thru these little chips what else will they be used for. [The Register]
the RFID tags are just like the barcodes on products you buy now. You dont keep them on everything; so no, someone “driving by your house” would not know all your buying habits. In order for a store to keep track of your purchases, they must have their own database on you (its doubtful stores would share valuable data like this, so they would only know what you buy in THEIR store). It only scans the tags on the products – how could it enable them to know how much money you have in your wallet? Unless the government starts putting tags in our currency, I don’t think thats possible, at least not through RFID technology. It will make your checkout at the store 10 times faster – not having to wait in line, or scan every item, just walk through with a whole cartload of products and have them instantly scanned. In fact, mobil speedpasses also use rfid technology. Stores already track your purchases and send you junk mail! I don’t think walmart’s use of RFID tags is going to infringe on anyones right to free choice. YOU need to wise up and know what you’re talking about.
It is just a start of taking away our freedom, people need to wise up and realize that this is how it all starts, in small implements, just like the seat belt law, first they could not pull you over just for not wearing one, but could give you a ticket if you were pulled over for some other reason and did not have it on, NOW they can just stop you if they don’t see your SHOULDER strap across your neck, and give you a ticket for something that we as adults should have the right to decide if we want to wear the thing or not. Sure I wear one most of the time because I choose to way before it became law, but it was my choice, Now I do not have that choice. This will be the same way, it will start out with tags for items purchased and end up in people willing or not. Think about it.
Hm. I wonder why that Flu shot hurt so much? It stung something awful and left a nasty red mark on my arm… You don’t suppose they implanted one of those tiny little RFID chips? The kind that are only 2 millimeters long??
Nah. That only happens in the movies…
Ah… Look!
Mr. John. Q. Public has just entered MEGA-WALLYWORLD and is passing through our scanners… Hm. Lessee.
He bought his shirt and pants from our stock 6 months ago. His shoes were purchased from *gasp* KAY-MART a year ago (quick, check his purchases, do they include shoes? no?! Blitz him with shoe ads! Offer a 5% discount!) Drat. He’s ignoring the adverts. Okay, what else do we have… There’s $498 in his wallet (that was purchased by his spouse last Christmas) and … what’s this? A new OZ membership card? Update his datafile and send the information to our physician’s network. He’s definately a risk for HIV…
Looks like John’s heading to electronics… Okay, he just purchased some DVD-R’s… He’s bought a total of 100 this year (RED FLAG!) John could be violating copyright laws! Let’s inform the RIAA of his suspicious purchase…
Sure, laugh.
and keep laughing until they shove one under your skin.