Posted on 03/20/2006 9:36:15 AM PST by robowombat
RFID: Europe Wants to Tag You
From the desk of Elaib Harvey on Sun, 2006-03-12 20:45
Am I the only one who is a tad concerned about the new RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Devices) Policy for Europe? I hope not. This year data retention legislation was introduced by the European Parliament and now we have the execrable Viviane Reding at a major conference in Hanover burbling about the Commission’s new consultation on the electronic tagging technology.
Given that Commission Press Releases are normally bland to the point of ennui the following is quite something, “But their power to report their location, identity and history also raises serious concerns about personal privacy and security.” You could say that.
Some years ago I learned that the Commission was developing an RFID chip with Toshiba and a couple of German funds that could fit into a €50 note. When I spoke to the companies’ press officers they got very huffy about it but would not deny the project. The Commission refused to talk.
The kit itself really is pretty clever. At one recent Tesco trial the tags embedded in the packaging of Gillette M3 razors activated cameras that photographed the customer at the shelf and again at the checkout. An admirable tool to combat shoplifting no doubt, but in truth I do not trust governments. This technology, may be undoubtedly clever and effective – logistics, just in time ordering and all sorts of other applications spring to mind – until the government gets involved. Last week’s announcement that the new UK driving licence is to be biometric is an example.
Now with EU wide RFID “ambient networks” or “internet of things,” where almost everything you buy or own or use is talking to each other, I am a little concerned. The Commissions phrase “But RFID devices will also pervade the Government sector (e.g. eGovernment, national defence and security)” should set one thinking. I don’t like the way that appears to be going.
What was particularly interesting about Mrs Reding’s comments was the pretence (as usual – q.v. enlargement, constitution, etc) that this consultation would be about producing a “bottom-up consensus on RFID” in the EU. The problem is that if the general public have fears about the technology, and its privacy and democratic risks, then the Commission would “answer the unreasonable fears.” That is they have already decided what they want and this consultation is, as usual, a farce. The fact that she announced the consultation at the same time as she told us that “the EU and US had reached an agreement to collaborate over interoperability and privacy in October” does rather prove that the decisions have been made.
In the interests of my own peace of mind I have signed up for two of the Commission’s RFID workshops: · RFID Application domains and emerging trends: RFID offers promising application potential in many domains – pharmaceuticals, health, agriculture, transport, logistics, security and more. This workshop should identify these application domains, prioritise them and formulate recommendations: e.g. what can be done to assess the needs, and to define guidelines on the use of technology in these domains? · End-user/consumer issues: Work will include re-assessing the need to revise the e-privacy directive in relation to RFID; the ethical implications of RFID; the acceptability of technological approaches to build trust – with a special focus on privacy and authentication (tag to reader, reader to tag, reader to network); and to enhance security (there is no privacy without layered security).
Interestingly these workshops were announced last Thursday. The first took place Monday and Tuesday. Which is a shame because I missed this fascinating dissertation, “Dr. Françoise Roure, Conseil général des technologies de l’information: From digital object identification to digital identification of people.”
Controlling people...is what the new world odor is all about.
Oh, no. They would never, ever do such a thing. And the fact that they have nothing at all to say about Stalin or Mao? Don't bother yourself about that. The leftist swine are always fat moralists.
Just remember it goes in steps: it's the "undesirables" who will be the first ones tagged.
PARANOID ALERT!
"Controlling people...is what the new world odor is all about."
Au contraire: controlling people who "have something to hide" is what it's all about...criminals.
The old adage: "the guilty dog barks first" applies here.
Of course paranod schizophrenics and manic depressives won't like this new "wrinkle on crime control" either, in as much as, they see spies hiding in breakfast cereal.
Law abiding citizens will welcome these measures which ultimately reduce crime and the costs that are usually passed on to them through higher prices which account for the "shrinkage" due from criminals and crime.
Technology marches on. And so do you Mr. Theif. Right on to prison for your dishonesty.
JACKASS ALERT!
"Au contraire: controlling people who "have something to hide" is what it's all about...criminals"
My position is that you may not be a criminal today but you will surely be one tomorrow as soon as we detect you doing something that we don't like. And, we have this handy technology to track you with when you do it.
"see spies hiding in breakfast cereal."
We see news articles describing new technology that offers wonderful opportunities to turn us all into something similiar to an individual in a beehive: Monitored 24/7 on the street and in the home.
Neither will people that love freedom and privacy.
You are quite right. Be prepared for the evolution of the Borg party and their schemes for this technology.
actually compiling data on private citizens movements and activities which will never be destroyed and can be trotted out or used covertly at ANY TIME IN THE REST OF THAT PERSON'S LIFE should raise eyebrows. Just the mere awareness that such data exists and is being compiled will affect how some people engage in lawful activities they would rather keep private - yes, even law-abiding citizens sometimes desire privacy, including from the loving arms of the State.
There is a group that takes the attitude that privacy isn't important and it is ok for fedgov to know everywhere you went, everything you did, bought, etc., for the last 20 years, but they are a minority.
You make law abiding cattle sound almost appealing.
Yeah?
They are still referred to as citizens in this United States.
...with all the rights ,privileges and freedoms thereto pertaining. They obey the law, pursue life ,liberty happiness and self actualization and lives without fear.
It's so great a way of living that they frequently, lay their own lives on the line to voluntarily defend it.
These wonderful people make great neighbors and absolutely fearsome enemies.
They are occasionally slow to make big decisions but easily recognize that the cost of freedom is eternal vigilence.
Speak for yourself.
You must be one of those sheep who believe in the adage "If you're not guilty, then you should have nothing to hide."
Those are the words of tyrants.
I will live my life by Franklin's words : "Those who give up essential liberties for security deserve neither".
bookmark
What we really need is for every gun every made, including matchlocks, to have a government controlled chip installed in it so that they can determine when it will fire or not. Then we'd be crime free, right? Right?
OK, here's my first feeble thought: Pick up a Gillette product, the RFD snaps your picture. You move to another aisle and ditch the razor blades in the soup section and proceed to the checkout. The checkout RFDs sense a theft has occurred and alarms sound resulting in your detention for shoplifting. You refuse to submit to a search until police are present.
When nothing is found you institute a huge lawsuit, win handily and live happily (and richly) ever after.
All your "rational lying' to the contrary Bill,the subject came up as it applied to security. ( I seem to recall)
It may be amazing news to you Bill, but we are at war, and are using all reasonable and lawful measures to detect our enemies activities before they annihilate our innocent ,non-combattant citizens any more than they already have.
Enemy sympathizers like you hate our country and seek to accuse our country of "illegal measures " to defend our freedoms.
We see right through your BS Bill and suggest you go do something indecent in your hat.
PS which Franklin are you misquoting? Aretha? or Who?
Perhaps you could point out where I lied. I stand by every word I posted.
It may be amazing news to you Bill, but we are at war, and are using all reasonable and lawful measures to detect our enemies activities before they annihilate our innocent ,non-combattant citizens any more than they already have.
"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves."
William Pitt
You may be willing to give up your freedoms, but please do not presume to speak for anyone else here on this forum, or give away the freedoms of the rest of us..
Enemy sympathizers like you hate our country and seek to accuse our country of "illegal measures " to defend our freedoms.
So I am an "enemy sympathizer" because I support the the animating contest of freedom rather than the tranquility of servitude?
I guess that's a variation on the blatant lie "If you're not with us, you're with the terrorists".
"Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen."
We see right through your BS Bill...
Seems to me that you and your sheep-like, anti-American views are in the minority here, sparky.
... and suggest you go do something indecent in your hat.
Well. I'm not quite sure what that means, but good luck with that.
Get that chip, dude, it's the only thing that will save you .
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