What is a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) System?
Radio Frequency Identification, or RFID, is a technology that uses small microchips, imbedded into products and packaging, and RFID “readers” to transmit information about product whereabouts to a central data collector. Unlike a UPC barcode, RFID allows a company to track an individual product by providing a unique reading on when that product was manufactured, distributed, and purchased. This is especially useful in improving shipping accuracy and cutting down on fraud or theft in transit, but the technology can also be used to track product movement on the shelves and beyond. While this technology can be immensely useful, it also threatens to interfere with citizens’ right to privacy unless it is adequately regulated. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has the capacity to significantly impinge on a customer’s right to privacy. In the last year, major companies including Gillette, Benetton Group, Target, Tesco, Albertsons, the Metro Group and Wal-Mart, have announced pl
