RFID V. Privacy Risks and Solutions

Abstract

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a generic term for technologies that use radio waves to automatically identify objects. An RFID chip comprises a microchip and a tiny antenna that transmits data from the chip to a reader. The reader is activated whenever the antenna comes into range, and the data can be used to trigger an event—such as raising an alarm or signaling that a pallet of goods has arrived in a warehouse. Usually, the range is no more than a few feet. But there are concerns that such applications will breach the privacy rights of individuals and threat the security of both organizations and individuals. There are also a range of technical, business, and political barriers to RFID’s development. To avoid being off the pages limit, this paper wants to focus on the critical privacy risks to individuals by RFID. Then, it discusses feasible legal and technical solutions to RFID with some emphasis on the former, i.e., selective current legislative developments in different jurisdictions, to provide companies with insight on what compliance with legislations may entail and to assist companies in possible self-regulation to address these concerns as well. Finally, this article presents its conclusion and suggestion aiming at a healthy and sound atmosphere to RFID’s development.

Published by “Proceedings of the 4th Int’l Conference on Innovation & Management” Vol. II, 2007.12.5-6, pp.1849-1853<ISTP indexed>