DoD Wants to Chip Everything But Sand

Phaedrus · Oct 25, 2003

Idiots.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>
DoD Announces Radio Frequency Identification Policy

The Department of Defense announced today the establishment of a Radio Frequency Identification Policy (RFID). RFID technology greatly improves the management of inventory by providing hands-off processing. The equipment quickly accounts for and identifies massive inventories, enhancing the processing of materiel transactions to allow DoD to realign resources and streamline business processes.

Implementation of RFID minimizes time spent through the normal means of inventory processing. This technology allows the improvement of data quality, items management, asset visibility, and maintenance of materiel. Further, RFID will enable DoD to improve business functions and facilitate all aspects of the DoD supply chain.

The new policy will require suppliers to put passive RFID tags on the lowest possible piece part/case/pallet packaging by January 2005. Acknowledging the impact on DoD suppliers, the department plans to host an RFID Summit for Industry in February 2004. The RFID policy and implementation strategy will be finalized by June 2004.

RFID policy and the corresponding RFID tagging/labeling of DoD materiel are applicable to all items except bulk commodities such as sand, gravel or liquids.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

From the Department of Defence press release page.

Phaedrus

Phaedrus · Oct 25, 2003

Just to be more specific, "idiots" because it leads to shit like this.

Phaedrus

radiofreecostarica · Oct 26, 2003

agreed.

Idiot.

Oceans11 · Oct 26, 2003

A whole new world, and new gadgets to play with and mess things up.

I like these, good for restaurants, Churches and the like.
http://www.cellular.co.za/accessories/phone_blockers/mobileblocker.htm

as well as other gizmos.
http://members.core.com/~jeffp/

I believe that microchips do not like things like microwave ovens, strong iron magnets, fast temperature changes (boiling water to iced water), static/high voltages and whatever other evil little things mischevious people can get up to.

The battle is only beginning.

The most effective tweak is one that corrupts the chip data, but lets the chip continue to operate.

You used to be able to recharge phonecards (magnetic strip) by leaving them in the freezer overnight.

[This message was edited by eek on October 26, 2003 at 08:11 PM.]

Phaedrus · Nov 11, 2003

The Chicago Sun-Times has broken a story about a secret joint RFID test between Wal-Mart and Proctor & Gamble to determine efficiencies of the system. In the study, shelves in a Wal-Mart were equipped with hidden electronics (including cameras) to track lipstick containers stacked on them. The shelves and Webcam images were viewed 750 miles away by Procter & Gamble researchers in Cincinnati who could tell when lipsticks were removed from the shelves and could even watch consumers in action.

Story is here.

Over and above the RFIDs themselves, the idea that it is considered perfectly okay for one company to allow another one to visually and otherwise monitor its customers without their consent (or even knowledge) bothers the hell out of me.

In a statement addressing the news of the test being made public, the director of the research center developing RFID said, "I think that the idea that someone's privacy is at stake because there are a few RFID tags in a few lipsticks in one store is silly." Maybe no one has yet clued him in that RFID chips are not being developed solely to track lipstick in a single Oklahoma Wal-Mart.

Phaedrus

Phaedrus · Jan 8, 2004

See also:

Hi-Tech Casino Chips Will Track Gamblers

Phaedrus

Phaedrus · Jan 15, 2004

Two relevant stories from The Register ...

Intel apparently has reversed its previous decision to not get involved in RFID development (here.)

VeriSign, the fourth Axis of Evil nation, has been awarded a major contract in RFID server management (here.)

Phaedrus

Phaedrus · Feb 29, 2004

Sigh. Why is it that people's only methods of dealing with issues is either violence or politics (institutionalised violence?)

As leery as I am of the potential for abuse of RFID technology, and as disgusted as I am by such things as secret trials as occured in Oklahoma (see story linked above) I cannot fathom how anyone feels that the solution is to simply put more laws on the books and hope for the best.

The state of Utah has passed the first-ever RFID privacy law, and similar legislation is being considered in California. While on the surface a positive thing for the consumer, in the zero-sum game that is politics someone always loses, and in this case it will be companies who wish to avail themselves of legitimate cost-saving and inventory efficiency benefits of RFID technology (via compliance costs, oversight requirements, who knows -- maybe even an "RFID tax.")

The sort of idiotic mentality that has people rushing to politicians to solve all their ills can best be summed up in the ACLU "victory" statement on the matter: "To protect consumers, we need laws, not unenforceable policies ..." In other words, companies which need to make, implement and succeed at long-term goals in order to maintain profitability simply cannot be trusted to make rational decisions, but nominally-employed shysters who only have to get by for the next four years (possibly less if a more fashionable issue arises) are to be fully trusted to make important decisions by fiat for the rest of us.

Phaedrus