Privacy debate centers on radio frequency identification

The emergence of radio frequency identification (RFID) has brought with it a plethora of privacy concerns and experts are questioning whether the hoopla surrounding RFID is justified. Using RFID should trigger the same privacy concerns as other commonly used technology such as credit cards, cell phones, and the Internet. RFID's potential to revolutionize the retail industry by maximizing suppliers' ability to control inventory and reduce theft is widely recognized. In fact, some technology forecasters predict that RFID tags will eventually replace bar codes on almost all product packaging. The privacy debate centers around RFID tags themselves, which function like tiny radios, wirelessly transmitting information to network receivers. If RFID tags were to remain active even after consumers complete their purchases and exit stores, their wireless technology would let the stores track consumers' movement and behavior; or so goes the argument.