Out-Law / Your Daily Need-To-Know
The European Commission launched a debate on RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) yesterday. It is seeking views on the opportunities, interoperability and compatibility issues as well as the privacy and security concerns raised by the new technology.
RFID tags consist of a microchip and a tiny antenna that transmits data from the chip to a reader. The reader is activated whenever the antenna comes into range and the data can be used to trigger an event – such as ringing up a purchase or ordering more stock.
But the ability of the tags to report their location, identity and history raises serious concerns about personal privacy and security, as well as problems with technical interoperability and international compatibility.
“RFID tags are far cleverer than traditional bar codes. They are the precursors of a world in which billions of networked objects and sensors will report their location, identity, and history,” said Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding. “These networks and devices will link everyday objects into an ‘internet of things’ that will greatly enhance economic prosperity and the quality of life.”
But she described the privacy implications as "a possible downside" of the technology. "This is why we need to build a society-wide consensus on the future of RFID, and the need for credible safeguards," she said. "We must harness the technology and create the right opportunities for its use for the wider public good."
The European Commission has therefore launched a comprehensive public consultation on the technology, starting with a series of workshops to build consensus on key issues.
These workshops will take place in Brussels between March and June 2006 and their conclusions will assist the European Commission in drafting a working document on RFID.
This document will be published in September in an online consultation. The additional feedback will then be analysed and integrated in a Commission Communication on RFID, to be adopted before the end of the year – and could lead to amendments of the Privacy and electronic communications Directive of 2002, which is up for review this year.
The Communication will also address the need for other legislative measures for RFID, such as decisions on allocation of spectrum.
The Commission is at the same time stepping up its exchanges with the US and Asia on RFID technologies, in order to define globally accepted interoperability standards and practices with regard to data privacy and ethical principles when applying the technology.
