Consumer privacy expert Katherine Albrecht(1) returned to share an update on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) products and how society might be affected by their usage. Many large companies such as Proctor & Gamble, Gillette, and Wal-Mart envision using the technology to create an "Internet of Things," where all products can be tracked all the time, she said. By extension, the people wearing or using the products could also be tracked, without their awareness.
Government has become has become increasingly interested in using the technology as well, and may install RFID tags in driver licenses and passports. By placing readers in highway overpasses, they could scan and identify drivers, Albrecht cautioned.She believes that this technology could lead to an "Orwellian Big Brother nightmare," that is "ripe for abuse by a rogue government."
She also paralleled the RFID situation to material from the Bible's Book of Revelation and its material about the Mark of the Beast, and how people would not be able to buy or sell without this mark. This time could be quickly approaching, she suggested, noting that the use of credit cards combined with some type of biometric authentication might replace cash transactions. However, the Book of Revelation writes that the "mark" would be worshipped, and she doesn't view that as happening yet.

1. http://www.spychips.com/

Thompson to Get Chip

Former Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson is said to be getting an RFID microchip implanted in his arm. The tiny radio frequency device contains individualized medical data and is made by VeriChip(1), a company which recently added Thompson to their board of directors. Read more at NewsMax.com(2).

1. http://www.verichipcorp.com/
2. http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/7/24/124513.shtml

Bumper Music

Bumper music from Monday July 25, 2005