[LINK] RFID & Related issues

[Geoffrey Ramadan]

Jan Whitaker wrote:

> At 06:40 PM 14/11/2004, Geoffrey Ramadan wrote:
>
>> I would be intersted in hearing other peoples view about this, but my 
>> understanding of the main concern privacay advocates have is the 
>> possibility of being "read" without their knowledge.
>>
>> Noting that in Verichips case (and the application for its use in 
>> bars) this is done consentually.  So I assume the problems of course 
>> is that the RFID implacts are always active and can be used by others.
>
>
> I think another issue is how do you get it out?  Will people put up 
> with them only for the reason that removing them is painful or may 
> leave a scar?  Sounds kewl to the youth to be able to get into their 
> favourite bar/jump the queue, just by agreeing to have an implant 
> doesn't it?
>
> Being 'read' is not the only problem to privacy advocates, but the 
> idea that a range of info may be matched because of these 'permanent' 
> implants is a worry. It's not just what is on the chip.  Then we'll 
> get to the point where, hey, let's have a "national chip", wouldn't 
> that be better than a smart card? Why should we maintain multiple 
> infrastructures when just one piece of silicon would do.  If it was 
> just a little bigger, we could get all your health info, your 
> financials, etc, on just one thing!  NO more cards to carry!  Wouldn't 
> that just be loverly, Martha?
>
> Then there is the 'let's treat grandma like a cow, too' theory.  It's 
> degrading and obviously dehumanising.  If someone has guardianship 
> over another human being, and it would make 'life easier' for the 
> guardian, why not?  Heck, it's just an old bag who might wander off in 
> her dementia.  Hey, wait, the STATE has guardianship.  Let's put 
> together the State chip and the Nursing Home and and and...... what 
> about those feral kids that DOCS has to "look after"?
>
> This may sound like science fiction now, but when you see the new 
> Attorney General of the US figuring out ways around the Geneva 
> Convention, not telling the Governor of Texas when new information has 
> come to light that may stop him from executing someone, and a few 
> other improbables, something that I doubt any of our generation would 
> have ever imagined, it seems all that much more plausible.
>
> Jan
>
>
>
> JLWhitaker Associates
> Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
> jwhit at melbpc.org.au  --  http://member.melbpc.org.au/~jwhit/whitentr.htm
> _ __________________ _
>
Thanks for your comments Jan.

Some points.

1) Passive RFID chips have very limited amount of memory for additional 
information (if any at all). Typically 64 bits (not counting the ID).

I can tell you a very funny story about a person who approached us and 
wanted to buy a magnetic card reader from us to read ALL THE INFORMATION 
on Medicare cards and sell it to people in shopping centers for $1..... 
I said " what .... the Medicare number ..." His business plan just went 
up in smoke. 

2) In regards to removing the implant... I believe it is just under the 
skin... so it should not be too difficult to remove.

3) In regards to data matching.... I had already assume the authorities 
were doing this anyway! matching Medicare numbers, Taxation File 
Numbers, ACN, ABN, Health care numbers, fingerprints, drivers license, 
credit cards, loyalty cards, DNA, biometrics, phone numbers,  etc.... 
i.e. it can be done now, they dont need a RFID chip.

4) I have some difficulty with the "old cow" theory. .... you could 
probably think of a scenario with ANY technology to make it look 
bad....or good for that matter.

How about the "I will save lives theory" with RFID. I understand there 
are over 10,000 patients die each year in Australia due to either 
incorrectly administered drugs or "interference" with other drugs. A 
system based on RFID could be used to prevent such things.

Also with the advancement of facial biometric recognition systems... you 
want need a RFID chip anyway, just a cheap camera linked up to  some 
"global central intelligence network".

Anyway, at this stage the primary interest in RFID is in asset 
management and supply chain applications.... pretty boring stuff by 
comparison.

Regards
Geoffrey Ramadan