Comments on: RFID tags: Big Brother in small packages

CNET News.com's Washington watcher Declan McCullagh says that retailers may love the concept of miniscule RFID tags to track products but that consumers should be aware of the potential for massive exploitation by corporations, criminals and the government.

[Layla55]

RFID Technology

Having been a parent whose child was abducted and brutally raped, I have an entirely different perspective about this technology regarding children and criminals than perhaps most would. And while I believe that most everyone should have the right to choose, had my child been implanted with such a device we might could have saved him before such horrible things had happened to him, and had the sex offender been implanted, the authorities might have known he was hanging outside the school yard waiting for an innocent child.

Unfortunately, the flip side is that while this technology can be used for so many positive things, someone or some government will find a way to exploit it, and there in lies the problem.

[4n1k3n]

I want to Buy A Chip

Hey its Jacques can you please email me a price list of what the chips would cost and their sizes and i wana speak to you just email me

Thanks
Jacques van Heerden

[ArchitectUn]

Some truth but totally exagerated

Dear Mr McCullagh,

I appreciated your article on RFID and I find interesting to see the point of view of an amateur on the topic. I believe this document will generate a lot of paranoia from the public.
However, as a chief engineer working for a leading company in RFID, I would like to revise your views on the matter to avoid confusion and fear from the public.
First of all RFID is something that is not new but was created in the 60s. It is based on radio frequency as you mentioned. The idea is just to communicate between 2 parties exactly like your radio, nothing exceptional so far. There are two types of RFID, active and passive. Active means it is battery powered, like a cellphone. Passive means there is no battery and is powered by the field generated by a reader (a type of emitter).
The technology has two main problems. Sensitivity to environment (metal especially) and distance. Distance is not really an issue with active tags but because they have a battery, the are usually big and expensive. However, they are much more powerful than passive tags... remember your cellphone doesnt work in lifts. No matter how sophisticated it is now and in the future, RFID will never bypass presence of metal. Put metal on your radio's antenna, you'll obviously disturb the sound. The type of RFID you are mentioning are passive, much less powerful (hundreds times less or more). Passive tags are divided usually in 3 categories: Low Frequency, High Frequency, Ultra High Frequency (LF,HF,UHF). the best LF and HF are limited to 1m range and they need to be bulky (5-10cm or more) with big antennas. UHF is limited to a few meters. In all cases, they are very sensitive to metal or environment. Put your hand on or in front of a UHF tag, it won't work! And Small embedded tags - for laundry for instance about 1-2cm - have usually a maximum read range of 20-30cm! In the future, technology will be better? for the next 10y, we won't improve anything except the read rate (read rate nowadays are far from being 100%) and cost. Maybe in 50y? Well, RFID might become what you are describing once robots can rule the world. Not anytime soon. So do let's not try to start another witch hunt. Please feel free to contact me whenever you want. I will be delighted to meet you to change your point of view though demonstrations.

David. L

[MilperraMassacre]

reply to David. L, chief engineer Radio Frequency Identification Tags;

Your comment ended with,
"Please feel free to contact me whenever you want. I will be delighted to meet you to change your point of view though demonstrations."
I would like to offer a demonstration to you in contradiction.
From the available information I can gather I had a radio frequency tag implanted some years ago I've been trying to have removed.
I want to enlighten you on the reality of the true capacity of technology and SIMPLY because it isn't mainstream knowledge doesn't mean that high tech surveillance is futuristic, and yes metal poses a problem to me, it causes electrical feedback every where I am, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but it's the vibrations and the associated continual pulse buzz that causes the degradation of soft tissue that is of most concern.
But that the Australian government has actively prevented the broader community from knowing the full effects of this type of technology - that is a concern that should be shared by all citizens.
Regards from; www.australiasux.com

[MilperraMassacre]

Some truth about Australia & RF Technology?

Reply to; David. L - Some truth but totally exaggerated - this comment ended with,
"Please feel free to contact me whenever you want. I will be delighted to meet you to change your point of view though demonstrations."
I would like to offer a demonstration to you in contradiction.
From the available information I can gather I had a radio frequency tag implanted some years ago I've been trying to have removed.
I want to enlighten you on the reality of the true capacity of technology and SIMPLY because it isn't mainstream knowledge doesn't mean that high tech surveillance is futuristic, and yes metal poses a problem to me, it causes electrical feedback every where I am, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but it's the vibrations and the associated continual pulse buzz that causes the degradation of soft tissue that is of most concern.
But that the Australian government has actively prevented the broader community from knowing the full effects of this type of technology - that is a concern that should be shared by all citizens.
Regards http://www.australiasux.com

[MilperraMassacre]

Some truth about Australia & RF Technology?

Reply to; David. L - Some truth but totally exaggerated - this comment ended with,
"Please feel free to contact me whenever you want. I will be delighted to meet you to change your point of view though demonstrations."
I would like to offer a demonstration to you in contradiction.
From the available information I can gather I had a radio frequency or similar tag implanted some years ago that I've been trying to have removed.
I want to enlighten you on the reality of the true capacity of technology and SIMPLY because it isn't mainstream knowledge doesn't mean that high tech surveillance is futuristic, and yes metal poses a problem to me, it causes electrical feedback every where I am, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but it's the vibrations and the associated continual pulse buzz that causes the degradation of soft tissue that is of most concern.
But that the Australian government has actively prevented the broader community from knowing the full effects of this type of technology - that is a concern that should be shared by all citizens.
Regards http://www.australiasux.com

[matrix_m]

Dear David,

Thanks for your comment. Are you aware that there exist RFID chip that can be consumed with food and can be connected with brain cell to read human thoughts? The text here discusses this a bit - http://debatebothsides.com/archive/index.php/t-56622.html

An excerpt from the article goes below -

"Every thought, reaction, hearing, and visual observation causes a certain neurological potential, spikes, and patterns in the brain and its electromagnetic fields, which can now be decoded into thoughts, pictures, and voices. Electromagnetic stimulation can therefore change a person's brainwaves and affect muscular activity, causing painful muscular cramps experienced as torture."

Do you know about any such RFID chip? What compnay makes those? What's the cost?

Thanks.

[jessekiya]

Mark of the Beast/RFID

Please help! I am trying to find peer reviewed journals on RFID that is relative to the mark of the beast. I am a grad. student doing research on "What technology has in store for the future classroom." I am trying to gain three perspectives on RFID: 1.Government, 2.Schools, and 3.Religion/Christian. It is very difficult to actually find legit research on this topic...especially from a religious standpoint. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!!

[james075]

chapter 13 revelations

13:16 He causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slave, to be given marks on their right hands, or on their foreheads;

13:17 and that no one would be able to buy or to sell, unless he has that mark, the name of the beast or the number of his name.

[heikin]

RE: mark of the beast...

This is indeed an interesting and frustrating issue. For
Christians, identifying the "mark of the beast" has been a long
one and until recently perhaps futile. Only with the advance of
computer technology is there a possibility of making a
speculation. Which is probably going to be a frustration for you
as RFID journals regarding mark of the Beast may not exist. We
can speculate as to the nature of the mark due to its function.
The Bible narrative states that without the Mark people will not
be able to buy or sell. It makes some reference to its location
being on the head or right hand. Implants would certainly
discourage theft of the chip. But what remains to be seen is the
extent of outrage and resistance by Christians because the
Narrative goes on to say that those who accept the Mark will not
be able to be Saved thereby loosing all possibility of a Heavenly
afterlife. Some have speculated that True Christians will resist
and not accept the Mark forcing themselves into refugee camps,
others state they will initiate a revolutionary war as our founders
did. Either way should the RFID chip hinder the ability to work,
to earn money, to spend or buy; we will see America as we know
it disappear forever, as revolutionary or civil war, or passive
refugee protesters by the tens of millions would be expected.

[Chrissy Gee]

I am interested in RFID prices

Please send me a price list if possible or some useful links to obtain prices for readers and TAGs with asset security in mind.

[drewsilver]

RFID Prices

I was reading about these 'little buggers' and my first question was
the same as yours. Have you heard anything about their price? I
may be able to help. Let me know. I can b e reached at
[e-mail]

[wildhowl1]

implants

666 here it is computer c 3x6= 18 o 14x6+ n so on the answers add em up there it is

[neo luddite]

you're no better

the guy that wrote this article is no different that the people who made the the clothing or the iron doors used on the ovens in german concentration camps. you are a willing participant in a frightening, bland and bleak future where every move a person makes is tracked.

People should resist this technology, not justify it because it makes shopping more convenient.

[rfidglobal]

RFID

Although there are lingering concerns by privacy advocates over the use of RFID, there's no doubt that the use of RFID tags continues to increase

http://www.rfidglobal.org

[Geek_Lady]

RFID victim

Are you kidding? Big Brother is already in place. You're obviously not a victim of an RFID implant.
While undergoing an emergency appendectomy in 1997, I am absolutely certain that an RFID implant was placed on/in me. Upon leaving the hospital (even in the parking lot) surveillance began and has not stopped since. Who is watching and why? I have no clue. If I knew, they would be going through litigation.
My life and career was ruined because of RFID.
Ever see that cartoon of the little mouse giving the middle finger to the eagle swooping down on it? Well, that would be me. The mouse. I was devastated but have not let Big Brother get me completely down.

Since I don't know specifically where this implant is, on my person, I would greatly appreciate any suggestions as to how to deactivate, destroy, neutralize it. Anything.

[crickit615]

try a high powered magnet????

[Geek_Lady]

RFID Tags

YOU should have one inserted into YOUR skull. A child or an adult under anesthesia has NO choice but would most likely decline receiving RFID.
Our ancestors came to America for freedom. If you want your baby stamped with an UPC code, you are giving up his or her privacy, individuality, and freedom. You are clueless and have no idea how this device can be abused by an employer, government, spouse.

Get a life.

[richardsonc0859]

DOD and Walmart

In 2005, I sat in on a conference where former Military Generals, heading up the "Supply Chain Logistics" department at the University of Alaska, said the Department of Defense was partnering with Wal-Mart to develop the technology, and that Wal-Mart mandated by Jan 1, 2005 its top 100 vendors had to be RFID compliant. By Jan 1, 2006 they mandated that their next top 200 vendors had to be compliant.
These same vendors supply other stores too.

[cowski]

implants equation things from wildhowl1

what?

[Kanatsuki]

Also take into account the prophecy mentioned in the book of Isaiah in the bible which mentions that one day money will be in the streets and worthless.

[Conspiracy-Theorist]

Money is already worthless, the stuff we call money today is not backed by any metal material I.E. gold/ silver, infact the money we use today is actually Fiat money or another term would be debt money, do a google search & start reading.

[Duckweather]

I have found these tags inside packages, almost invisible, and very difficult to remove. (Of course I removed it carefully, because if anyone that goes to that much trouble to conceal it, then it must be something worth knowing about, or finding a use for.) Maybe it is a cheap version of the automobile anti theft device for personal items. I guess that would depend on which side of the "fence" you were on. I can see the good and the bad sides of RFID. I think the trick is not for the good to complain, but to get to the top first. Like the saying goes, "lead, follow, or get out of the way". But then again, I could be wrong.

[aalirae]

isn't this the mark of the beast 666

[Conspiracy-Theorist]

One has to wonder why it appears that most posts about this article have, been on such a small scale, for instance... inserting a chip in a child?s head? serious issues there, but instead of looking at this as some form of body insertion device, take a wider view.... it's well known that the powers that be mess with the foods we eat, & no-one has even pondered the possibility of this so called chip being minimised to a point of being placed in food, ok perhaps a little to technologically advanced at this point in time, but if any of this is a possible point of reality in our lives.... who?s to say it can't be done?.. Only scary thing is... you will not actually know it has happened.......... will you!
It starts off as a harmless tag on clothing & so on, soon enough it becomes a tracker.. not just for crims, but for the whole population on the planet.
It's ironic that sc-fi movies the likes of teminator, matrix & so on, that are great entertainment but take the sc-fi out of the movie & you could be amazed at how close to the movies we actually are, the six milion dollar man a great 70's sitcom, 20-30 years down the track & there are people walking the planet with bionic implants. so how close could all this be a reality ?? ... closer than you might think.

[steveadore]

Hey Guys.. I am a longshoreman. As part of the TWIC program (under the guise of "Homeland" "Security") I am being froced by the Federal Government to submit to a BIOMETRIC!!! RFID!!! MICROCHIP!!! THAT HAS NOT ONLY MY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ON IT!!!! BUT MY BIOMETRIC MARKS FROM MY RIGHT HAND (FINGERPRINTS!!)!!! AND THEY WERE GOING TO PUT OUR BIOMETRIC MARKS FROM OUR FOREHEADS (OR EYEBALLS/RETINAS) ON THEM, TOO!!!!! CAN YOU SAY "MARK OF THE BEAST"?!?!?!?!?!?!? I CAN AND I AM CALLING B.S.! THE ONLY THING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ISN'T DOING TO CITIZENS OF THIS (once) GREAT NATION IS IMPLANTING THESE BIOMETRIC RFID MICROCHIPS UNDER THEIR SKIN ALREADY!!! I'M SURE THEY WILL AFTER THE NEXT ATTACK!!! BUT BASICALLY.... IF I DO NOT QUIT MY JOB... I AM FORCED TO TAKE THE "MARK OF THE BEAST"!!!!! AND LIKE I SAID IT HAS MY SOCIAL SEC. #, AND NON-COUNTERFEITABLE BIOMETRIC "MARK"... SO I CAN DO ALL OF MY BUYING AND SELLING, AND BANKING, AND DIRECT DEPOSIT, AND TAXES, AND COURT FEES, AND ALIMONY, AND CHILD SUPPORT AND...AND... THANKS GEORGE BUSH!!!!!! DON'T YOU THINK YOU'VE PUT ME THRU ENOUGH WITH WHAT YOU DID TO THE COUNTRY AND IT'S (once) GREAT REPUTATION???? NOW YOU FEEL THE NEED TO GIVE ME THE "MARK OF THE BEAST"!!!!! EVERYBODY ON HERE READING THIS... BE READY!!!!!!! I AM CERTAIN THAT YOU ARE ALL NEXT!!!!!!!

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