CASPIAN founder and director, Katherine Albrecht, a Harvard University doctoral candidate and consumer privacy advocate, warns that Benetton's chips could be used for more than just unwanted advertising.
"Manufacturers of these chips are already promoting them as a way to track individuals and inventory their belongings. It would be easy for Benetton to link your name and credit card information to the serial number in your sweater, in essence 'registering' that sweater to you," she explained. "Then any time you go near an RFID reader device, the sweater could beam out your identity to anyone with access to the database - all without your knowledge or permission."
This scenario is not far-fetched, according to a 2001 INFORMATIONWEEK article. There, RFID proponents predicted the creation of a seamless network of millions of RFID receivers strategically placed around the globe in airports, seaports, highways, distribution centers, warehouses, retail stores, and consumers' homes.
"Manufacturers of these chips are already promoting them as a way to track individuals and inventory their belongings. It would be easy for Benetton to link your name and credit card information to the serial number in your sweater, in essence 'registering' that sweater to you," she explained. "Then any time you go near an RFID reader device, the sweater could beam out your identity to anyone with access to the database - all without your knowledge or permission."
This scenario is not far-fetched, according to a 2001 INFORMATIONWEEK article. There, RFID proponents predicted the creation of a seamless network of millions of RFID receivers strategically placed around the globe in airports, seaports, highways, distribution centers, warehouses, retail stores, and consumers' homes.