RFID Privacy and Security
AIM Global's Historical Focus on RFID Privacy and Security
AIM Global and its member companies have been actively working to promote the appropriate application of RFID technology to address issues concerning personal privacy and system security. Below is a list with links to some of the more significant articles, case histories, activities and policy statements published by AIM in recent years.
Anyone interested in these issues, including legislative policy makers and public opinion influencers such as, journalists and market analysts, is encouraged to contact AIM Global to learn more about the variety of RFID systems, proper applications of the technology, and best practice recommendations.
Updated September 17, 2008
AIM Global's Perspective on Consumer Privacy and Security
(excerpt from AIM Global RFID Position Statements)
AIM Global is dedicated to ensuring full compliance with all relevant personal privacy and security regulations and laws.
AIM Global is well aware of concerns regarding consumer privacy. AIM's members are working to address these concerns where RFID technology-based solutions are appropriate.
AIM Global believes that "best practice" policies and procedures should be put into place to ensure appropriate consumer privacy. Specifically, consumers should have the right to:
- Be informed, prior to purchase, whether an item or product contains an RFID tag
- Use, deactivate or remove RFID tags after purchase of an item
- Opt out of RFID-enabled services
- Be informed, at time of purchase or issuance, of what type of data is stored on an RFID tag on a product or card in their possession
- Be informed, at time of purchase or issuance, about when, where and for what purpose a tag in their possession would be read.
RFID Connections - May 31, 2007
RFID: The Future of Security and Privacy
RFID Connections interviewed Sayan Chakraborty, CTO and Vice-President of Engineering and Operations for SkyeTek about security and privacy issues surrounding RFID. Read the complete interview at http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/templates/template.aspx?articleid=2563&zoneid=42
RFID Connections - May 24, 2007
RFID: Punish Behavior, Not Technology
RFID Connections explores the use of RFID in emergency situations and poses the argument that RFID can be life-saving. Read the full article at http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/templates/template.aspx?articleid=2540&zoneid=43
RFID Connections - May 11, 2006
RFID: For the Common Good
This article highlights the existing benefits and uses of RFID, demonstrates the increasing need for RFID to ensure product and personal safety, examines security issues and the different types of RFID systems, suggests a "common sense approach," and highlights AIM Global's historical and continuing initiatives to explain and promote consumer privacy and security issues.
http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/templates/template.aspx?articleid=1204&zoneid=24
RFID Connections (News Release link) - May 1, 2006
RFID Privacy 'Best Practices' Aim to Protect Consumers
A working group made up of some of the nation's largest companies, public interest and consumer advocates today unveiled a set of "best practices" designed to promote respect for consumer privacy in the growing use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. [Upon learning of this activity, AIM Global volunteered to assist in refining and expanding the announced draft.]
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-01-2006/0004351493&EDATE=
RFID Connections - April 27, 2006
RFID and Homeland Permeability
There have been a number of recent announcements about proposed applications of RFID for U.S. travel documents. However, it's a mistake to assume that any of these proposed uses would actually be used for Homeland "Security." RFID-enabled travel documents would, instead, be a convenience to foreign nationals legally entering or leaving the U.S. and, to a smaller extent, a deterrent to undesirables seeking entrance through conventional points of entry.
http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/templates/template.aspx?articleid=1142&zoneid=43
RFID Connections (News Release link) - March 20, 2006
[China] Capital Airport Will Adopt RFID To Monitor Outbound Luggage
Beijing Capital International Airport is planning an RFID system for outbound luggage transport and security checks to improve its luggage freight efficiency and accuracy.
http://www.chinatechnews.com/index.php?action=show&type=news&id=3705
AIM News Release - March 16, 2006
AIM RFID Experts Refute RFID Virus Claims
AIM Global, the trade association for automatic identification and mobility, issued a statement today in response to a technical paper delivered during a conference 15 March 2006 in Pisa, Italy, entitled "Is Your Cat Infected with a Computer Virus?"
http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/templates/template.aspx?articleid=888&zoneid=1
RFID Connections - February 16, 2006
Counterfeits Bad, RFID Good
It's a sobering fact that in just one month, this past December, companies lost an estimated $16 million (US) due to counterfeit products. In light of these losses...there is a growing economic incentive to use Automatic Identification and Mobility technologies, particularly RFID, to secure the supply chain.
http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/templates/template.aspx?articleid=730&zoneid=43
RFID Connections - February 09, 2006
RFID Security: Getting Serious
Concerns about RFID security issues abound. It appears that many of these concerns are, in fact, legitimate. Admittedly, security protocols for any technology will never be 100 percent hacker-proof. Likewise, it is true that not all systems require the same level of security -- that is, a library card won't require the same level of security as a passport. But...security considerations are now more important than with some early implementations.
http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/templates/template.aspx?articleid=721&zoneid=43
RFID Connections - February 2, 2006
Which is Better: RFID Legislation or RFID Guidelines?
The question needs to be asked whether legislation is the answer or whether the industry should develop, adopt and enforce its own best practice policies to ensure the effective use of RFID while addressing legitimate privacy and security concerns.
http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/templates/template.aspx?articleid=667&zoneid=43
RFID Connections - November 2005
AIM Publishes Revised RFID Emblem Document
In order to provide workers with a simple, visual guide to identify RFID-enabled labels and tags, the AIM North America Standards Action Group (NASAG) developed the AIM RFID Emblem™ to be placed on a label or tag. [Revision of 2004 logo graphic based on international consensus.]
www.aimglobal.org/rfidemblem.asp
RFID Connections (Book Review) - October 27, 2005
Spychips: Fact or Fiction?
To truly point out all of the flaws in this tome would, itself, require an entire book, but it is important for us to point out the most egregious errors and faults immediately.
http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/templates/template.aspx?articleid=478&zoneid=1
AIM Global - October 6, 2005
AIM Global Publishes RFID Position Statement on Consumer Privacy and Security
AIM Global, the industry trade association and worldwide authority on automatic identification and mobility technologies, today published the first of a series of Global Position Statements addressing issues surrounding Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).
http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/templates/template.aspx?articleid=459&zoneid=1
RFID Connections - August 29, 2005
RFID for Child Protection
SmartWear Technologies of San Diego, CA, USA, has introduced two new products designed to give parents additional protection against child abduction and to aid in recovery of missing children. Both use proprietary RFID transponders sewn into clothing.
http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/templates/template.aspx?articleid=437&zoneid=3
RFID Connections - August 29, 2005
Editorial: RFID Legislation -- Protection or Pause Button?
The recently drafted "RFID" legislation in California is the latest attempt by some who would prefer to avoid concrete discussion on the pluses and minuses of using RFID and would simply ban the technology rather than understand it.
http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/templates/template.aspx?articleid=433&zoneid=24
RFID Connections - April 26, 2005
Editorial: "Privacy" vs. Safety
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.
http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/templates/template.aspx?articleid=338&zoneid=24
Siemens Business Services - August 02, 2005
Hospital Gains Efficiency with Innovative RFID Pilot
http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/templates/template.aspx?articleid=415&zoneid=32
RFID Connections - March 22, 2005
RFID and Privacy Laws
In addition to the call by C.A.S.P.I.A.N. to changes in a wide range of labeling and consumer protection laws (see http://www.spychips.com/press-releases/right-to-know-bill.html), another proposal for changes or enhancements to current federal legislation concerning RFID has emerged.
http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/templates/template.aspx?articleid=311&zoneid=24
RFID Connections - February 15, 2005
RFID Hacking Threat Overstated
What's the threat from hackers breaking RFID encryption for gasoline purchases and car immobilizers? It exists but it's more on the level of something that's possible rather than something that's likely to happen.
http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/templates/template.aspx?articleid=292&zoneid=26
RFID Connections - August 10, 2004
Missing-the-Point Central
From the specter of tagging school children to RFID hacker tools, there have been recent news reports that seem significant but, upon closer reading, display a fundamental lack of understanding of RFID technology.
http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/templates/template.aspx?articleid=188&zoneid=24
Intermec Technologies - May 5, 2004
NEXUS: Life in the Fast Lane - RFID Powers Border Crossing Program
ake a look around the next time you're sitting in your car, waiting in line to cross the U.S.-Canadian border. While you're fiddling with your radio dials, leafing through a magazine or playing your Gameboy, cars in the NEXUS lane next to you likely are proceeding rapidly across the border.
http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/templates/template.aspx?articleid=134&zoneid=25
RFID Connections - December 2003
RFID and Homeland Security
There has been a lot of media attention in recent months about the vulnerability of American ports (as well as any port anywhere in the world). Because of the global nature of today’s economy, ports, and cargo containers carry approximately 90% of the world's trade. In the United States, almost half of incoming trade (by value) arrives in U.S. ports by containers onboard ships -- nearly seven million cargo containers each year.
http://www.aimglobal.org/technologies/rfid/resources/articles/dec03/homeland.htm