by Adi Tedjasaputra

It is always difficult to digest an opinion or article on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) based on incomplete facts and bias, especially when it comes from a company that considers itself as the world's authority in the field of RFID.

About two months ago, we heard about the draft report titled The Use of RFID for Human Identification published by the DHS Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The report recommends a careful consideration whether to use RFID to identify and track individuals.

In about the same period, the CEO of Applied Digital is injecting RFID into the immigration mess, literally, by suggesting the implant of RFID chips manufactured by VeriChip Corp., a subsidiary of Applied Digital, into the arms of registered aliens in the U.S.

While the hype is still fresh in our memory, we heard another story that illustrates how easy it is to "clone" a unique identification number from a supposedly secure implanted RFID chip manufactured by the same company.

What was the reaction of VeriChip?

Interestingly, the spokesman could still argue that: "It’s very difficult to steal a VeriChip … it's much more secure than anything you'd carry around in your wallet".

Another hype that results in another setback for RFID.

Technology, including RFID, is only an enabler.
You still need to consider moral and ethical borderlines in applying RFID technology.


Send your comments and discuss.

Labels: privacy, rfid, security, technology, tracking

 

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