User:Jrtayloriv/Workshop/Scratchpad/Geolocation Devices and RFID Tagging

RFID tagging
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tagging is the use of very small electronic devices (called 'RFID tags') applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification and tracking using radio waves. The tags can be read from several meters away.

Many companies are already "tagging" their workers, who are monitored while on the job. Workers in U.K. went on general strike in protest of having themselves tagged. They felt that it was dehumanizing to have all of their movements tracked with RFID chips. Fears that people will soon be tracked and scanned everywhere they go,

Verichip is an RFID device produced by a company called Applied Digital Solutions (ADS). Verichip is slightly larger than a grain of rice, and is injected under the skin. The injection reportedly feels similar to receiving a shot. The chip is encased in glass, and stores a "VeriChip Subscriber Number" which the scanner uses to access their personal information, via the internet, from Verichip Inc.'s database, the "Global VeriChip Subscriber Registry". Thousands of people have already have them inserted. In Mexico, for example, 160 workers at the Attorney General's office had the chip injected for identity verification and access control purposes.

Concerns that soon every object that is purchased will have RFID tags in them, which would broadcast immense amounts of information about people as they walk past scanners (what type of phone they have, what type of shoes they have on, etc) that can talk to the scanners, used for identification or directed marketing.

Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite thingamajig bla h blah blah

The U.S. Federal government has planted hidden GPS tracking devices in people's vehicles to monitor their movements, without a warrant. They are arguing in court right now that they have the right to do this.

Several cities are running pilot projects to force parolees to wear GPS devices to track their movements when they get out of prison.


 * use in car navigation systems ... traffic monitoring (precursor to mass-scale monitoring) -- mobile millenium project
 * employees required to carry GPS phones

Mobile phones

 * geolocation