RFID - Good, bad or ugly?
When I got my Tech-Ed pack this morning (Thank You
Microsoft SA!), I noticed it contains an RFID card which is going to track what
events I go to etc. I am not at all concerned about anyone knowing where I am
over the Tech-Ed weekend, so although the following line of thought is Microsoft
inspired it is by no means directed at them, however, with the ever suspicious
and over active imagination I was born with I started wondering just how much
they plan to track me, and also the larger implications of being required to
carry these RFID cards on your person.
With a short investigation*, it turns out the range is typically only a few
feet at best unless it's the 'UHF' variety or has an internal power source (not
sure what the Tech-Ed one is, although it doesn't seem to have any batteries).
No doubt the storage abilities and range of these devices will increase over
time and that does get me wondering about where the line between a companies
desire to increase their knowledge of their customers and ones personal privacy
should be drawn. At least with a line-of-sight device like a barcode you have
some freedom of choice, but do we really want to see a state of affairs where
you can not go to a public place or event without carrying what could
essentially become a tracking device?
What do you think? Am I just being
paranoid again?
* RFID FAQ here.