Japan school kids to be tagged with RFID chips

Japanese authorities decide tracking is best way to protect kids

The rights and wrongs of using radio frequency identification (RFID) tags on humans have been debated since the tracking tags reached the technological mainstream. Now, school authorities in the Japanese city of Osaka have decided the benefits outweigh the disadvantages and will now be chipping children in one primary school.

The tags will be read by readers installed in school gates and other key locations to track the kids' movements.

The chips will be put onto kids' schoolbags, name tags or clothing in one Wakayama prefecture school. Denmark's Legoland introduced a similar scheme last month to stop young children going astray.

RFID is more commonly found in supermarket and other retailers' supply chains, however, companies are now seeking more innovative ways to derive value from the tracking technology. Delta Air Lines recently announced it would be using RFID to track travelers' luggage.

Jo Best of Silicon.com reported from London.

[unknown unknown]

When I first read the headline I thought....

they were going to put the tags under the childrens skin, like some people do with their pets. I am it's going on their back packs instead. It could be a good idea.

Cyberpunk is coming...

This is just one of the indications that what used to be just a science fiction genre called cyberpunk is already here. High technology coupled with a strong ingrained questioning of man's morality in the face of his increasing understanding of the way the universe works. I wonder where this will end up.

step further

in related news... http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/americas/07/13/mexico.chip.reut/index.html

Why RFID?

i wonder why they're going to be using RFID instead of cellphone to track.

[Not Bugged]

US professors are tagged with RFID chips

A University in Illinois also has an RFID tracking system that
tracks professors' movements. American authorities have also
decided that the RFID benefits outweigh the disadvantages. It
seems like there are those who think not only of the children,
but also of the professors, although for the university the
convenience factor seem to have weighed more than the dangers
of professor abductions.

[ReVeLaTeD]

Reminds me of Shadowrun.

"Deckers" will soon roam the streets with their boards, ready to jack themselves into computers. The FBI/police won't even need to come to your house to get you after you murder someone...just isolate your core frequency and send a surge. Bam - you drop dead on the spot.

Government Control

I see it as a way for the governemnt to control people and their actions. Telling us that it's for our protection, fight against terrorism. I don't see anything good that could come out of this. Our freedom is limited...

[casper2004]

RFID CHIPS

We should be warned that RFID Chips are being used and it should always be optional. The minute the government don't let us turn ours off in purchases and make us get them inserted in our bodies, we should all yell rape! Of course, if we really want to put a stop to this unamerican activity, we should all vote for Michael Badnarik in November and see if he can really keep the masses from turning into puppets.

I know, perhaps governments all over the world should be the only ones required to have RFID chips shoved down their throats!

It's just the beginning.

All parents rejoice! You in the near future will be able to track your children like pets. Congrats! Beets the heck out of actually sitting down and talking with your kid. Getting to know them. Bond. And than asking them to obey your wishes like, go here, and avoid there. Can anyone else see implants at birth coming up on the horizon?

Investor Information

So who can I invest in to cash in on the recent explosion of RFID technology into the mainstream market?

CAN ANYBODY SMELL THE COFFEE

WELL, I AM SUPPRISED IT HAS TAKEN THIS LONG FOR THIS TO START HAPPENING. AS ALWAYS THEY START WITH GOOD INTENTIONS. AS TIME PASSES MORE PEOPLE WILL USE THE SYSTEM THEN THE ABUSE WILL START. AND THEN UNCLE SAM WILL FIGURE OUT A INNOCENT REASON TO ACCESS THIS STUFF AND USE IT TO HELP FIGHT CRIME.... BRO'S AND SISTERS MAN'S TIME IS COMMING.... OUR ONLY HOPE IS HAVING FAITH IN OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. DON'T FORGET TO LIVE YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLEST, AND KEEP YOUR LAMP WICKS TRIMMED AND LAMP FLUIDS FULL AS NO ONE KNOWS THE DAY OR TIME OF HIS RETURN.... GET BUSSSSSSSY YOU MIGHT BE THE ONLY THING SOMEONE KNOWS (OR WILL EVER HEAR) ABOUT JESUS. SO HANG TUFF OUT THERE... SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ALOHA YOU BRO IN CHRIST SKIP