In part 1 of our story, we discussed how clothing manufacturers have started to embed RFID microchips into their apparel. These chips are sensors that cannot be turned off and — with readily available readers — can be used to track information about the consumer and their whereabouts.

According to RFID Talk Blog, apparel tagging represents about 80 percent of the market volume for passive RFID tags in 2015, and will continue to see explosive growth. Approximately 3.75 billion RFID passive tags were used in retail apparel last year. The RFID blog can be accessed at: http://www.rfid24-7.com/2015/07/09/uhf-rfid-market-will-top-3b-by-2020/

In 2014, Adidas was discovered inserting RFID tags into soccer jerseys. Asked by German broadcasting company Deutsche Welle whether it equipped the new shirts with the tags, the company stated: “As part of a logistics project we have tested for the first time an RFID label with a virtual number. It is a read-only label without any additional data. The label is not tied to the article number, size or color of the article and we also can’t link it with the end customer data.” However, this does not necessarily pose a problem for surveillance. The personal information is obtained when the person uses his or her credit card, bank card, shopper card, etc. to purchase the product. Now, assuming that the purchaser is the one wearing the jersey, each time the jersey is the proximity of a reader, the person is identified. Since the identification number in the RFID tag is still in the possession of the retailer and manufacturer, they can sell this information to whoever wants to track certain items. While it might not make much sense to track the whereabouts of a $12 t-shirt, retailers will have an intense interest in the habits of a Blancpain watch owner. According to IBM, “Since each RFID tag has its own unique identification number, the person’s identify needs to be made only once for the card to serve as a proxy for the person thereafter.” The full story link can be accessed at: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-rfid-tags-could-be-used/

RFID tags have a variety of manufacturing and logistics benefits. These benefits include, for example, providing greater efficiency in the supply chain, reducing counterfeiting of pharmaceutical drugs, improving product integrity and enhancing shipping container security. However, besides the removable sales tag, should customers be told if RFID tags are embedded in their clothing and consumer products?

Introduction to RFID Tracking

Innovation in applications for consumer products is projected to continue in the growth of RFID products. For example, several companies are currently working to embed RFID tags with moisture sensors into drywall and diapers. The embedded sensors in diapers (children or adult) can then be scanned to determine if they need changing at healthcare facilities. If other sensors can be piggybacked onto RFID sensors, the level of biometric data that can be surreptitiously gathered and sold is unlimited. Tags could sense your moods such as arousal or boredom through perspiration and heart rates. Coupled with your location, this can be powerful marketing information that can then be targeted back at you without any clue that it is happening. New RFID labels have been developed for deployment into one of the last untagged retail categories: cosmetics and beauty products.[1]

Since federal legislation has not comprehensively addressed the collection, maintenance and disclosure of information from RFID tags, consumers should be concerned over the potential loss of privacy and level of surveillance from these tags. The potential is of having your clothes or personal items embedded with readable sensors which can then be read by scanners without your knowledge or consent as you walk down the street or through the shopping mall. Is this a concern or is this the cost of convenience and progress? The benefit to the retailer is obvious — they sell you a shirt, and then sell your whereabouts and habits to other retailers. But what possible benefit can the consumer derive from having her movements and possibly more monitored by scanners?

RFID Scanning Robot that will peruse the mall surveilling merchandise and you

So, next in RFID — robot and drone scanners at the mall. University of Auburn students have developed a robot for scanning RFID tags. These robots are currently used to check the location and count of inventory in the store, but they could also be used to follow around customers who have RFIDs embedded in their clothes or jewelry. The next step is to have the robot whisper suggestions in your ear.[2]

RFID provides a way to transparently track, profile and monitor customers. When Mythbusters tried to find out the truth about hacking RFIDs, they were shut down by the major credit card companies.

This MythBusters video explains how Mastercard shut down their investigation into the use of RFID microchips in clothing

So, apparel merchandisers have gone from removable, disposable barcode labels to embedding microchips into your collar. These microchips are identical to the chips that are used to put you back in touch with your dog when she ends up in the pound. But, unlike your dog, you are not lost and are not asking anyone to come get you. All this under the banner of customer service you didn’t ask for and cannot decline. Maybe “Naked and Afraid” would be a more suitable title to this article?!?