It's time some of the privacy advocates overcame their knee-jerk reaction every time RFID is mentioned and consider the real world implications before raising privacy issues.

The latest objection is over the FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) World Cup Organizing Committee's use of RFID in World Football (Soccer) championship tickets.  Some privacy advocates are concerned because fans buying tickets have to supply personal information and, with RFID tickets, "they" might be able to track the fan's location in the stadium.

What these objections really mean is that a few individuals' spurious concerns about a possible violation of personal privacy should take precedence over the safety of thousands of fans.

Spurious assertions?  Absolutely.  Those attending World Football matches are in a public facility.  Where could an individual go that "they" might want to track him or her?  The concession stand?  The bathroom?  Someone else's seat?  Leaving the stadium?  Even if it were possible, why would this be an issue?

Let's ignore the fact that the range of these tickets will be mere inches.  Let's ignore the fact that reading these tickets when they're in your pocket or purse will be difficult if not impossible.  Let's ignore the fact that tickets with bar code can be counterfeited.  Let's ignore the fact that other security measures, such as holograms, would require close visual inspection (hardly practical when admitting thousands of highly emotional fans).

Let's ignore all these facts because they inconveniently show how ludicrous the assertions of potential "spying" really are.

Instead, let's look at some real-world facts.

A misguided fan at one game threw a Molotov cocktail at the goalie of an opposing team, setting him on fire.

Fans at another game attacked members of an opposing team as they tried to leave the pitch following the game.

Football hooligans have been known to attack fans of the opposing team inside the stadium, often beating them senseless and triggering a rush to the exit of other fans.

On more than one occasion, fans trying to escape violence in the stands have died from being crushed and smothered in the crowd.

Now, let's look at the benefits of the system FIFA is proposing.

The RFID-enabled ticket will contain only a serial number tied to the database containing personal information.  Requiring personal information to buy tickets will help the FIFA to keep known trouble-makers from buying tickets and entering the stadium.  The use of RFID-enabled tickets will also help prevent fake tickets from being accepted (and the consequent fights over who is to sit in a particular seat).

To be fair, many privacy advocates haven't jumped on this bandwagon because they have a far better grasp of the realities of the situation.  While there are a number of situations where there are legitimate privacy issues (and these are being addressed), this is clearly not one of them.