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.”
CBart95, please quit while you're ahead. I see what you are trying to say in your posts, the unfortunate thing is we live in a world where people and programs are abused daily by those seeking greater power for themselves. Based on your writing style, I fear that you're likely a youngster who hasn't experienced enough in this world to speak about these surveillance techniques from a mature perspective. It is very common for young students to embrace a socialist approach to what they feel is "fair" and many folks in America tend to outgrow those notions as they become adults.
ActionNewsBill, you are absolutely 100% correct in what you've illustrated. I'm becoming more convinced that kids like CBart95 who grew up without witnessing firsthand totalitarian superpowers like the former Soviet Union can't grasp the theories or otherwise comprehend these threats. We'll just need to keep helping them right their ways and reverse the damage caused by television indoctrination, public education, and things like that. The idea of RFID use, cameras, monitoring staff, and other government surveillance programs is frightening for a free society.
~ Blue Jays ~
We're in complete agreement.
To add to your nightmare scenario, could you imagine the part of the testimony where the wife "forgets" to tell the court they had a huge backyard hamburger & hotdog barbecue with thirty-five friends and family members in attendance? Suddenly a couple cases of beer aren't quite so threatening. The so-called innocuous little RFID tags can't prove that part of the story, though.
~ Blue Jays ~
"Congress shall make no law...abridging...the right of the people to peaceably assemble...
Suppose you were having a gathering of like-minded individuals to discuss politics in the 30 days before an election in violation of McCain/Fiengold campaign finance laws. If the driver's license or money or passport or anything you are required to carry has an RFID tag in it that identifies you directly, the government can know you were there and then use that information against you. If they have no way of knowing the movements of people in a free society without tagging us, we retain the right of the people to peaceably assemble.
Maybe a bit of a stretch, but indicative of the possibilities on that slippery slope we head down.
SW you're over-reacting.
The McCain-Fiengold Bill does'nt prohibit assembly...it has nothing to do with lawful assembly.
So you are sending up a "Straw Man", presumably to promote confusion and undue concern over ridiculous hypothetical circumstances.
Overstating the "Enormous Threat To Individual Liberty" is a deliberate attempt to "Poison the Well".
These aren't conservative tactics, they are easily left-wing in nature and intended to undermine confidence in our leadership.
There's nothing "conservative" about advocating RFID tracking chips for all citizens.
That kind of thinking reeks of totalitarianism.
People should not be afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of their people.
You might give some thought to reading what you see more accurately.
You seem to be off fighting windmills. Fact is you always appear "ready to go to battle". Is there something in your makeup that causes that pugnacity that you want to talk about? Say, a lifelong resentment?
Or a physical inadequacy? Maybe you are too short?
People who are always in attack mode never seem to be very happy.
Yes...I do not like people who are willing to trade freedom for security.
It's simply un-American to do so.
There you go again.
Judging and making judgements.
A veritable "traffic Cop" of civil behavior issuing your "citations" right and left.
Oh well, idle hands are the Devil's playmates.
Toodles!
I will live my life by Franklin's words : "Those who give up essential liberties for security deserve neither".
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