Don't regulate RFID--yet

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Got some real bad news for ya bud

"What I do care about is the data tracking of my purchases becoming "corporate data" and what happens to this information once collected..."

Got a Visa, Mastercard, American Express etc card? Do you use a "smart shoppers card" at your local grocery store? Got a Sam's Cub membership? These are just a few examples where the use of a credit or membership type card sets you up in a corporate database. Let's say your Visa promises, swears by the blood of their Mom that they will not use or sell your personal information to any third parties. Feel comforatble right. Wrong. Visa tracks geographical demographics of products sold. They then sell those numbers to marketing companies that target your area with like items. You go out and buy that stuff and the cycle starts over.

Using a grocery store "smart shoppers card" is not any better. From your purchases the marketing comapny can discern the number of people that live in your household, age and gender. Your financial status can also be discerned and all this information is used to target the advertising aimed at you. Ever been to a store that gives targeted advertising on the back of your receipt? Say you bought cat food two three weeks ago. The next time into the store your receipt may have a coupon for little friskies on the back.

Anytime you pay for something with anything other than cash your info goes into a database. Each purchase is annotated whether it was paid with cash, check or credit/debit card. The last three are directly identifiable to you. Most major chains maintain a record of your purchases. Why? Inventory control? Nope your info is getting sold.

I do not like RFID either but the fact of the matter is we are being tracked anyway this will just make it easier. No conspiracy theory or FUD just bald faced reality. However, I still say the greatest danger to our privacy is not the pros but the amateurs.

Posted by: Squawkbox   Posted on: 08/30/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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