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Way back in like 95-96 when I first started to get online and was into hacking sites and "inside information" sites I read about Rfid. How this was the last step before embedding people and newborns with these chips to monitor people and keep them inline sort of speak. I never really 100% believed it.
Until just now I got an alert from slickdeals about a ralph lauren sale on dillards.com. I'm about to place an order and wanted to see there return policy. This is what I found. But first I will post the definition of RFID.
Frequently Asked Questions About RFID
Q. What is RFID?
A. Radio Frequency IDentification is an automatic data capture technology that uses tiny tracking chips affixed to products. These tiny chips can be used to track items at a distance--right through someone's purse, backpack, or wallet. Many of the world's largest manufacturing companies would like to replace the bar code with these "spy chips," meaning that virtually every item on the planet--and the people wearing and carrying those items--could be remotely tracked. There is currently NO REGULATION protecting consumers from abuse of this technology
For those that call duck tales. Here is the link, or goto the faq section on dillards.com. Walmart has been doing this since June apparently here in NY.
http://www.dillards.com/faq/FaqStartServlet#23
[h3]Radio Frequency Identification[/h3] [h3]Q. What is RFID?[/h3]
A. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a method of using radio waves to communicate information about products. RFID systems can collect data about a product quickly, with reduced human error. An RFID/EPC (Electronic Product Code) tag consists of an antenna connected to a microchip that contains information about the product and can be placed on a product. This tag can then transmit its product information (EPC) back to a reader. The reader converts the radio wave into digital information that is interpreted by computers.
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[h3]Q. How does an RFID system work?[/h3]
A. An RFID system contains a tag and a reader with an antenna. The reader sends out a low powered electromagnetic wave (radio wave). The tag receives the wave and uses the power from the wave to activate its microchip. The microchip adds the tag’s unique information to the wave and sends it back to the reader.
Back to Top
[h3]Q. What is the difference between RFID/EPC tags and bar codes?[/h3]
A. RFID/EPC tags and bar codes are two different technologies that overlap in the identification of products. Bar codes require line-of-sight to identify a product. RFID does not require the tags to be within line-of-sight. Bar codes typically identify the UPC (representing a unique style, color and size of the product), while an RFID/EPC tag contains the UPC plus a serial number which differentiates one like item from another. RFID usability is often limited by products containing metal and water, an attribute not shared by bar codes.
Back to Top
[h3]Q. At what distance can an RFID/EPC tag be read?[/h3]
A. The range of a tag depends on the frequency, size, power output, and whether or not a tag contains a battery. The passive (non-battery powered) Ultra High Frequency (UHF) tags that Dillard’s uses can be read up to 20 feet away from the reader.
Back to Top
[h3]Q. Do RFID systems have any potential health risks? [/h3]
A. The government closely regulates the amount of power an RFID reader can produce. World Health Organization research, among other scientific studies, have shown that exposure below the limits recommended in internationally adopted guidelines has not revealed any known negative health effects. Passive tags, like the ones used on Dillard’s merchandise, contain no battery or power source, so they pose no harm to shoppers.
Back to Top
[h3]Q. Will RFID systems increase the cost of products?[/h3]
A. Although RFID/EPC tags are more expensive than barcodes, it is envisioned that RFID systems will be able to actually reduce the cost of products by improving management of inventory throughout the supply chain. Reducing the number of out-of-stocks while eliminating excess or unnecessary inventory can streamline the flow of materials and effort required in getting the proper merchandise to the right store in a timely manner.
Back to Top
[h3]Q. What privacy issues are there with RFID technology? [/h3]
A. The information specified about the product on an RFID/EPC tag is simply a product code and a serial number. The RFID/EPC tags will contain no personal customer information or be associated with the customer that bought the product. The tags are designed to be removed by the sales associate at time of purchase or removed by the customer at their leisure.
Back to Top
[h3]Q. Can RFID/EPC tags be used to track customers in the store? [/h3]
A. Although there are tags designed to be implanted in humans and animals, these have nothing to do with the use of RFID that Dillard’s is implementing. Given that the tags that are being used on our products can only be read at a distance of about 20 feet, it would take many readers to cover the entire store. The RFID/EPC tags only transmit the product’s unique identifier or EPC and not any customer information. While we are not interested in tracking our customers in the store as they shop, we are interested in knowing if someone walks out of our store with an item that has yet to be paid for; so in the future, readers may be placed at the store exits for this purpose.
Back to Top
[h3]Q. Can someone read the tags on items in my home or in the clothes I may be wearing?[/h3]
A. First of all, the read range for passive UHF tags is about 20 feet. Someone would have to get that close to your belongings to be able to read the associated tags. Even if they were capable of reading the tags, the only information they would get would be the encoded UPC and a serialized number (EPC). Without a product database to look up the item, this number is basically useless. No personal customer information is stored on the tag.
Back to Top
[h3]Q. What is an Electronic Product Code (EPC)?[/h3]
A. The EPC is an advanced version of the UPC (Universal Product Code or bar code). Like the UPC, an EPC identifies manufacturer and product style, color and size. The EPC also contains a serial number allowing each item to be uniquely tagged. The EPC is stored in the tag’s microchip. You will often hear the terms RFID tags and EPC tags used interchangeably. While RFID refers to the technology used to read the tags, EPC refers to the unique item identifier stored on the tags.
Back to Top
[h3]Q. What benefits will customers see from the use of RFID? [/h3]
A. Our goal at Dillard’s is to use RFID/EPC tags on products to help process merchandise through the supply chain faster and more accurately, monitor inventory levels, perform frequent product inventory counts and reduce theft. The end result will be having the right merchandise in the right store at the right time, thus improving the overall customer shopping experience. As the technology is more widely adopted, there will be even more benefits to the customer.
There is no privacy
Until just now I got an alert from slickdeals about a ralph lauren sale on dillards.com. I'm about to place an order and wanted to see there return policy. This is what I found. But first I will post the definition of RFID.
Frequently Asked Questions About RFID
Q. What is RFID?
A. Radio Frequency IDentification is an automatic data capture technology that uses tiny tracking chips affixed to products. These tiny chips can be used to track items at a distance--right through someone's purse, backpack, or wallet. Many of the world's largest manufacturing companies would like to replace the bar code with these "spy chips," meaning that virtually every item on the planet--and the people wearing and carrying those items--could be remotely tracked. There is currently NO REGULATION protecting consumers from abuse of this technology
For those that call duck tales. Here is the link, or goto the faq section on dillards.com. Walmart has been doing this since June apparently here in NY.
http://www.dillards.com/faq/FaqStartServlet#23
[h3]Radio Frequency Identification[/h3] [h3]Q. What is RFID?[/h3]
A. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a method of using radio waves to communicate information about products. RFID systems can collect data about a product quickly, with reduced human error. An RFID/EPC (Electronic Product Code) tag consists of an antenna connected to a microchip that contains information about the product and can be placed on a product. This tag can then transmit its product information (EPC) back to a reader. The reader converts the radio wave into digital information that is interpreted by computers.
Back to Top
[h3]Q. How does an RFID system work?[/h3]
A. An RFID system contains a tag and a reader with an antenna. The reader sends out a low powered electromagnetic wave (radio wave). The tag receives the wave and uses the power from the wave to activate its microchip. The microchip adds the tag’s unique information to the wave and sends it back to the reader.
Back to Top
[h3]Q. What is the difference between RFID/EPC tags and bar codes?[/h3]
A. RFID/EPC tags and bar codes are two different technologies that overlap in the identification of products. Bar codes require line-of-sight to identify a product. RFID does not require the tags to be within line-of-sight. Bar codes typically identify the UPC (representing a unique style, color and size of the product), while an RFID/EPC tag contains the UPC plus a serial number which differentiates one like item from another. RFID usability is often limited by products containing metal and water, an attribute not shared by bar codes.
Back to Top
[h3]Q. At what distance can an RFID/EPC tag be read?[/h3]
A. The range of a tag depends on the frequency, size, power output, and whether or not a tag contains a battery. The passive (non-battery powered) Ultra High Frequency (UHF) tags that Dillard’s uses can be read up to 20 feet away from the reader.
Back to Top
[h3]Q. Do RFID systems have any potential health risks? [/h3]
A. The government closely regulates the amount of power an RFID reader can produce. World Health Organization research, among other scientific studies, have shown that exposure below the limits recommended in internationally adopted guidelines has not revealed any known negative health effects. Passive tags, like the ones used on Dillard’s merchandise, contain no battery or power source, so they pose no harm to shoppers.
Back to Top
[h3]Q. Will RFID systems increase the cost of products?[/h3]
A. Although RFID/EPC tags are more expensive than barcodes, it is envisioned that RFID systems will be able to actually reduce the cost of products by improving management of inventory throughout the supply chain. Reducing the number of out-of-stocks while eliminating excess or unnecessary inventory can streamline the flow of materials and effort required in getting the proper merchandise to the right store in a timely manner.
Back to Top
[h3]Q. What privacy issues are there with RFID technology? [/h3]
A. The information specified about the product on an RFID/EPC tag is simply a product code and a serial number. The RFID/EPC tags will contain no personal customer information or be associated with the customer that bought the product. The tags are designed to be removed by the sales associate at time of purchase or removed by the customer at their leisure.
Back to Top
[h3]Q. Can RFID/EPC tags be used to track customers in the store? [/h3]
A. Although there are tags designed to be implanted in humans and animals, these have nothing to do with the use of RFID that Dillard’s is implementing. Given that the tags that are being used on our products can only be read at a distance of about 20 feet, it would take many readers to cover the entire store. The RFID/EPC tags only transmit the product’s unique identifier or EPC and not any customer information. While we are not interested in tracking our customers in the store as they shop, we are interested in knowing if someone walks out of our store with an item that has yet to be paid for; so in the future, readers may be placed at the store exits for this purpose.
Back to Top
[h3]Q. Can someone read the tags on items in my home or in the clothes I may be wearing?[/h3]
A. First of all, the read range for passive UHF tags is about 20 feet. Someone would have to get that close to your belongings to be able to read the associated tags. Even if they were capable of reading the tags, the only information they would get would be the encoded UPC and a serialized number (EPC). Without a product database to look up the item, this number is basically useless. No personal customer information is stored on the tag.
Back to Top
[h3]Q. What is an Electronic Product Code (EPC)?[/h3]
A. The EPC is an advanced version of the UPC (Universal Product Code or bar code). Like the UPC, an EPC identifies manufacturer and product style, color and size. The EPC also contains a serial number allowing each item to be uniquely tagged. The EPC is stored in the tag’s microchip. You will often hear the terms RFID tags and EPC tags used interchangeably. While RFID refers to the technology used to read the tags, EPC refers to the unique item identifier stored on the tags.
Back to Top
[h3]Q. What benefits will customers see from the use of RFID? [/h3]
A. Our goal at Dillard’s is to use RFID/EPC tags on products to help process merchandise through the supply chain faster and more accurately, monitor inventory levels, perform frequent product inventory counts and reduce theft. The end result will be having the right merchandise in the right store at the right time, thus improving the overall customer shopping experience. As the technology is more widely adopted, there will be even more benefits to the customer.
There is no privacy
