RFID is basically a tiny tracking device. RFID stands for radio frequency identification. Today, as RFID becomes more and more common, many different people are using it for a variety of tasks. From automatic toll booths, anti-shoplifting devices, to tracking devices embedded in pets, RFIDs are quickly spreading through the world without people even noticing. On one hand, many benefits are coming from RFIDs, and the other hand there are many privacy concerns. Let’s take a look shall we?

Pro’s

Right now in Hong Kong, a card called the Octopus card is widely circulated. After its appearance in 1997, now, in 2006, more than 10 million cards are circulating in the 7 million population of Hong Kong. The Octopus card is contains an RFID and it works as a debit card. MTR (Hong Kong’s subway), busses, parking meters, gas stations, and even certain convenience stores accept the card. One merely has to wave the card over a receptor pad and the appropriate funds are deducted. The range of the cards even work through clothing and bags. One can place one’s purse or wallet over the pad and the correct funds will be deducted. I have visited Hong Kong every year since I was a baby, and one summer, these octopus cards suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Everyone had one, old or young, and they worked very very well. In Hong Kong, many apartment building keys are cards that one touches to pad. All over the United States, clothing stores have begun using RFID tags to discourage shoplifters. From large tags around guitars or jeans, to tiny slips hidden in books and magazines, RFID’s have provided businesses with more security. RFID’s can help our lives become much more efficient. Time spent in line waiting to pay would decrease, time spent boarding or entering different means of transit would decrease. So if RFID’s can provide so much good for the world, why are there concerns?

Con’s

Today, the issue of security has become a great issue. Spying over the internet, identity fraud, phone tapping and many other issues have raised concern over the speed at which technology is growing. If RFIDs capable of surviving a washing machine are now available, then perhaps everyone is in danger of being stalked, or kidnapped. If all products have RFIDs in them, the issue of whether they’ve been deactivated permanently will surely come up. If RFIDs existed in everything, someone with a reader could basically see everything private in one’s home. Thefts, identity thefts, kidnappings, spying and other breaches of security would become a big issue. Most people, including myself, would feel uncomfortable if someone could track where I was going at what time with who etc etc. Sure, people can say that the surveillance would keep us safer, but if the surveillance was abused, then we would all be in danger. Specific people could easily be targeted, rare cars could be tracked and stolen, etc. People could potentially lose almost all freedom as they are slowly being tricked into a false sense of technological advancement. Even now with I-pods, and cells phones and laptops people think they are more free as they can go anywhere and be connected to everything. What they fail to notices is that they are slaves to the technology. If we become dependant on the marvels of RFIDs, then soon enough we’ll become slaves to them. Mothers with RFIDs imbedded in their children will always know where they are, but that information could also be passed on to kidnappers. So in taking a precaution to prevent something, they may have made it easier for it to occur.