[LINK] Surveillance in extremis

[Jan Whitaker]

At 11:38 PM 28/08/2006, Geoffrey Ramadan wrote:
>>>I am curious to know if you or anyone else would have the same concerns 
>>>if they had stuck a simple "barcode" on the bin with a unique number?
>>
>>Probably I would have concerns.
>Are you concerns "heightened" because they use RFID? And if so why?

Glad to see we agree on some aspects of this discussion. But re this 
question above, probably not all that much more heightened depending on the 
type of rfid that is used. As with all sorts of technology developments in 
this basket called surveillance, I'll repeat, it is what is done with the 
data. Barcodes are problematic if they assume to align with an individual 
or individuals and the data is collected and matched with other data and 
conclusions about that individual or individuals are made based on this 
individual or combined data. Patterns in a population, perhaps, but to 
extend any conclusions based on some statistical probability is unfair 
unless it is shown to be 100%. I still reserve the right to be in the tail 
of the curve at either end in a distribution! (that will make sense to some 
who took stat 101 at some time in their lives)

I've recently been taken on a tour of the GS1 training facilities for using 
RFID in production and distribution. Fabulous facility! I've known RFID to 
be used well in libraries for reshelving books. Fantastic application! But 
when they begin to be used for tracking people and their domestic 
activities, I put my foot down. Councils aren't exempt from common decency, 
accountability, and respect for the people who put them in office. And that 
is what I'm afraid is a tendency in too many communities/governments.

Jan

Jan Whitaker
JLWhitaker Associates, Melbourne Victoria
jwhit at janwhitaker.com
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'Seed planting is often the most important step. Without the seed, there is 
no plant.' - JW, April 2005
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