MIS Assignment

Wal-mart Grapples With RFID:

1. Describe some RFID applications that might pose a threat to privacy. What information does RFID enable them to track?

RFID is a type of an automatic identification system that enables data to be transmitted by a portable device, called a tag, which is read by an RFID reader and processed according to the needs of a particular application. Because of their inconspicuous nature, these tags are not really visible and may pose a threat since people are not aware that they are carrying those tags or that someone might be reading information from them.

Some RFID applications that might pose a threat to privacy are:

Networked systems: Characterized by fixed position readers which are connected directly to a centralized information management system, while transponders are positioned on people or moveable items.

Positioning systems: Used for automated location identification of tagged items or vehicles.

EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) systems: Generally used in retail stores to sense the presence or absence of an item. Products are tagged and large antenna readers are placed at each exit of the store to detect unauthorized removal of the item.

Portable Data Capture systems: Characterized by the use of portable RFID readers, which enables this system to be used in variable settings.


2. How do these applications threaten personal privacy? How serious is this threat?

Positioning RFID tags on people might be an issue that may raise concerns of privacy invasion. Also, positioning systems may sometimes be misused by the wrong people and people or vehicles may be tracked even though they would not want to be, thus posing a threat to their privacy.

Also, many technology experts predict the development of a seamless network of millions of RFID receivers strategically placed around the globe in airports, seaports, highways, distribution centers, warehouses, retail stores, and consumers' homes, all of which are constantly reading, processing, and evaluating consumers’ behaviors and purchases.


3. Should these RFID applications be deployed? Why or why not? Justify your answers.

Though it has its advantages, I believe that RFID devices should not be deployed in most cases. As long as there is corruption and wrongdoing in the world, such tags will be misused, used as readers, unwanted trackers and identifiers for people and objects, and thus for the sake of privacy of all and for the sanctity of individual rights and freedom, they should not be deployed.

Also, this can also be detrimental for the retailers themselves, because they would not be able to observe people without subjecting them to the issues of social desirability. This means that people will exhibit behaviours that would make them seem favourable in the eyes of those monitoring them.

Moreover, due to their minute size, they can be placed anywhere and are thus extremely easy to misuse and will subsequently be used to pry on others, once in the wrong hands. So basically I am of the opinion that peoples' privacy should be placed at a little higher ranking than making good business and these tags should thus not be used.

Interesting...

These are just some links I think are worth mentioning.. The first one seems to be scarily accurate. The second one's, well, disillusioning. Sad to see how life just doesn't seem to be fair to some people..


http://www.newsline.com.pk/NewsJan2009/cover2jan2009.htm

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/International/story?id=6764201&page=1

What Intrigues Me!

Anything that's remotely interesting and has to do with entertainment, books, or technology is something I want to know more about. I'm more than interested in music, movies, TV shows, computers but nothing can beat my obsession with food. That's right, food. Specifically chicken.

Back to the point, this blog is just an expression of whatever random things cross my mind on a daily basis and I'm going to keep adding more things that actually do 'intrigue' me very soon... Expect a LOT of randomness.

Homework Assignments

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