Broadband Tech > Security > Security > Wal-Mart To RFID Tag Underwear

Wal-Mart To RFID Tag Underwear

said by Miguel Bustillo :

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Wal-Mart Radio Tags to Track Clothing

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to roll out sophisticated electronic ID tags to track individual pairs of jeans and underwear, the first step in a system that advocates say better controls inventory but some critics say raises privacy concerns.

Wal-Mart's broad adoption would be the largest in the world, and proponents predict it would lead other retailers to start using the electronic product codes, which remain costly.

But the company's latest attempt to use its influence—executives call it the start of a "next-generation Wal-Mart"—has privacy advocates raising questions.

While the tags can be removed from clothing and packages, they can't be turned off, and they are trackable.

They also worry that retailers will be able to scan customers who carry new types of personal ID cards as they walk through a store, without their knowledge. Several states, including Washington and New York, have begun issuing enhanced driver's licenses that contain radio- frequency tags with unique ID numbers, to make border crossings easier for frequent travelers. Some privacy advocates contend that retailers could theoretically scan people with such licenses as they make purchases, combine the info with their credit card data, and then know the person's identity the next time they stepped into the store.

Wal-Mart is demanding that suppliers add the tags to removable labels or packaging instead of embedding them in clothes, to minimize fears that they could be used to track people's movements. It also is posting signs informing customers about the tags.

"Concerns about privacy are valid, but in this instance, the benefits far outweigh any concerns," says Sanjay Sarma, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "The tags don't have any personal information. They are essentially barcodes with serial numbers attached. And you can easily remove them."

In Europe some retailers put the smart labels on hang tags, which are then removed at checkout.

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And jeans, you forgot to mention that.

Wal-Mart is demanding that suppliers add the tags to removable labels or packaging instead of embedding them in clothes, to minimize fears that they could be used to track people's movements.

*yawn*
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The Alien in the White House

15,713 DEADLY TERROR ATTACKS SINCE 9/11

Thought that mentioning unmentionables would attract more readers than mentioning mentionables. It got yours.

reply to SUMware
The concern I see here is about tracking via drivers license. Starting January 2011 all Hawaii renewed or newly issued licenses will have the tracking RFID tags. Sadly, I will be among the first to get one these as my license comes up for renewal early next year. I don't want Wal-Mart scanning my license as I walk in the door!

I've had a pair of Ann Taylor pants for several years that have the chip. Imagine my surprise and puzzlement when I wore them the first time and set off every scanner in every store I entered.
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When governments fear people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. Thomas Jefferson

reply to SUMware
uh oh.. they are going to get my "BMI" by the size of my underwear..

reply to SUMware
So long as their presence is obvious and they remain easily removable, it's no bigger a deal than other inventory controls.
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So I'm pretty much disappointed with both political parties. Yeah.

reply to SUMware
I love Wal-Mart.

reply to SUMware
We already don't shop WalMart ... but if we did, we'd probably stop over this.

I've worked with WM on the vendor side and have family who work for them. They stink to deal with on both sides. Guess their next project is to show the same contempt to customers.

reply to SUMware
This is amazing, why would WM want to track anyone? Has anyone ever tried to request a store carry something? Usually it is "Alright, we will work on carrying that product" then 6 months later you give up. If using this as an "inventory" buying guide a little more customer service would do better.

reply to Mele20

reply to SUMware
I like the idea of them being embedded into panties.

It would help me keep track of which pair belonged to who after they were left on my bedroom floor.
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"I like to refer to myself as an Adult Film Efficienato." - Stuart Bondek

reply to Mele20

Visit maps.google.com/earthview/meles_pants for real-time tracking...

reply to Link Logger

said by Link Logger:

And we had been tracking your moment all over the island because of those pants, thanks for wearing them so much, but now that they are wore out, your new license will come in very handy.

reply to SUMware
To add fuel to the fire.

Florida Turnpike has tags that are read at highway speeds as you drive, now they will soon be able to see who is driving and if you are wearing boxers or briefs.

Perhaps wal-mart will be able to track who is in the parking lots.

Stu

reply to SUMware
Simply cut the things off when you go to wash them. Many clothing stores have the EAS (security) tags embedded already.

reply to SUMware
Seems to me that they should just repackage the underwear to make it more difficult for it to walk out of the store "by itself", rather than bothering with RFID tags.

reply to Mele20