RFID (radio frequency identification) tags have stirred up quite a bit of controversy and debate. RFID tags are small wireless devices that emit unique identifiers when requested by RFID readers or sensors. Both the government and the private sector are supporting the use of RFID tags for many purposes, from government identification cards to consumer products. The controversy over the proposal to embed RFID chips into United States passports is mainly heated by concerns over privacy and security. Privacy advocates were concerned that passports would reveal a person’s identity without their knowledge or consent. These concerns were applied to other realms such as police surveillance and the ability of stores to identify their customers. In response to the overwhelming amount of negative feedback by the public, the State Department issued new regulations for the RFID passports.

These new regulations contain two features that address the concerns over privacy and security. Criticism and disruption are key aspects to innovation and progress. The government properly accepted this criticism and worked to improve the situation by including a radio shield in the cover of passports, as well as an access control feature, so the passport holder has control over who access the information on the chip. The only feature that the passports lack is a “collision-avoidance system not based on unique serial numbers.” It is important that the criticism continues so that this lack of technical skill illustrated in the collision-avoidance ID can be improved upon. As Schneier says, “The only way to vet its design, and convince us that RFID is necessary, would be to open it up to public scrutiny.”

It is extremely important for these RFID systems to be secure because they will most definitely become increasingly common. Technology only improves, so the increased use of RFID chips and tracking devices is inevitable. Currently, RFID tags are still expensive so they aren’t widely used in consumer products. However, as companies strive for more sophisticated means of tracking products and profiling consumers, the increased demand and production of RFID technologies will decrease prices. The market for RFID tags is rapidly developing, estimated to reach $10 billion annually within the decade. Of course, there should be proper legislation which guarantees that consumers be informed of products with these tracking chips before they buy them.

The use of RFID tags in consumer products may seem alarming, but it would have beneficial aspects and would probably be much more efficient. Manufacturers prefer RFID because the technology offers more convenience and durability than bar codes, and holds more useful information. Businesses using RFID tags claim no interest in gathering information on consumers; they simply want to use the devices to increase efficiency and reduce data entry. RFID tags could be manufactured so that they are eradicated once they leave a store. And without access to a store database that connects the data to a person, it would be hard for law enforcement to obtain personal information about someone based on RFID tags embedded in consumer products. Through proper legislation, privacy could be ensured. Again, this vision of chips embedded into many various things that we use every day may sound alarming, but it is already happening, so there is no stopping it. All we can do is continue to scrutinize its faults, so that it can be improved and used to our benefit and not harm.