Question
Find an example of an organized anti-RFID movement group that wants to stop the spread of RFID technology. What are their assumptions about RFID technology and its impact on society and business? Do you agree or disagree with the anti-RFID group? Why or why not?
Solution
TLMT602 Week 8: Anti-RFID Movement
Recent years have witnessed a growth in anti-RFID campaigns, especially among consumers. Metro AG is one of the recent retailers to drop the use of the technology due to the pressure from anti-RFID campaigners. The company had decided to deploy the smart tag technology before the mounting pressure forced it to stop the process. The company joined others, such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and the Benetton Group SpA, which have already stopped the technology (Blau, 2004). Although the technology could streamline the supply chain, I agree with anti-RFID campaigners regarding their violation of consumer’s privacy and the need to stop their use.
Privacy advocates, such as Consumers Against Supermarket Privacy Invasion and Numbering (Caspian) in the U.S., have been pressurizing retailers across the world to stop the use of RFID chips. The anti-RFID campaigns are based on two main assumptions. First, privacy violations may occur, such as collecting sensitive data without the consent of the owner. Secondly, the violation of the identity of the buyer, especially for items paid using credit cards or the use of the loyalty card, could occur (Turri, Smith, & Kopp, 2017). I agree with the anti-RFID group, especially in the attempt to protect consumers against privacy violations. Any system that could put a consumer at the risk of access to private data without consent should never be used.
Anti-RFID campaigners are correctly opposed to the use of technology in retail outlets. The proliferation of technology poses serious dangers to privacy and information security. Therefore, retailers should not knowingly use systems that can allow remote access to consumers’ information without their consent because it is a violation of their right to privacy.
References
Blau, J. (2004). Metro Store bows to pressure from anti-RFID activists. Retrieved from
Turri, A. M., Smith, R. J., & Kopp, S. W. (2017). Privacy and RFID technology: a review of regulatory efforts. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 51(2), 329-354.