The theater of RFID

By Gary Forger, Editorial Director -- Modern Materials Handling, 6/1/2007

It seems that RFID has developed a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde stage presence these days.

For the longest time, RFID was seen as relatively benign. People use it in keyfobs at the gas station. Millions carry RFID security cards daily. The technology is on manufacturing lines and tracking assets in industrial yards. RFID even identifies animals in our food supply. And there are no great concerns about the technology with any of those uses.

However, threats appeared when retailers initiated RFID compliance programs. Beyond pallet and case tracking (not a threat), retailers considered RFID for tracking individual items (big threat). That's when people became concerned that RFID tags in their clothes, for instance, would make available, without their consent, personal information to strangers.

A line was crossed and security and privacy issues were front and center. They became more acute with talk of RFID in government documents and implanted in humans with personal medical histories.

Suddenly, RFID had gone from benign to a severe personal threat. In fact, CNNMoney.com just ran a story with the headline “Backlash against RFID is growing.” It says people believe the security of the technology is a secondary consideration in many of these applications, and that is unacceptable.

In a way, this shift was caused by misguided advocacy. You see, the RFID world has been focused on how the technology works and its benefits. And when people challenge RFID security, advocates tend to dismiss some claims as “urban myths.” Others move into technology speak.

Those and other “defenses” miss the core of people's fears. People are concerned that others will be able to access private data without their consent. That's a flesh and blood issue. Not a technology one.

Clearly, RFID is at a crossroads. Technology and standards development that makes the technology work better will continue.

But there has to be more attention paid to heartfelt concerns of the common man. It might require education, public relations or even government regulations. Perhaps the industry needs to launch its own campaign to ensure security of data. Whatever the approach, the security issue must be addressed in a powerful manner.

Europe is already moving down that path. “The European Commission has decided Europe cannot live without the chips – but privacy concerns that surround them must be resolved,” reports silicon.com.

It's now time for people to step up and do the same here. Otherwise, RFID will become a technology with potential it couldn't fulfill because it suffers from a split personality.