RFID (radio frequency identification) tags are used by warehousing and large retailers to track their stock; the tags are programmed with all kinds of information and identify themselves automatically to any tag reader in the vicinity.
RFID is also used for livestock tagging and in corporate ID badges. In Mexico, the attorney general’s lawyers have had RFID tags implanted so they can be tracked in case of kidnappings.
And now Rikkyo Primary School in Tokyo has jumped on the RFID bandwagon in the interest of school security. From April next year, students will have RFID tags pinned to them to monitor their entry and exit from the building. Although it seems benign on one level, don’t you think it’s a little bit too Big Brother? And will it extend from the doorway to a more thorough monitoring?
“Where’s little Ko-chan?” teacher asks.
“In the toilet. Stall three. Been there for….2 minutes 46 seconds,” replies the school monitor.
Will these children, along with the countless adults who have RFID implanted or tucked into their wallet, get so used to being tracked that they won’t consider it an invasion of privacy?
Sorry, but I’m not going there. no RFID for me, thank you very much.
Posted by kuri at October 02, 2004 07:08 AM