POLICY :: RFID :: What is at Stake :: Privacy & Security

Privacy & Security

RFID tags provide information automatically. They can be integrated into objects, animals and even people. As a result, there have been concerns that they might endanger individual privacy.

People fear that Smart Tags may be used to collect and store personal data such as medical records, to trace people's movements or to profile their behaviour in the workplace.

Effective guarantees on data protection, privacy and the associated ethical dimensions are crucial for the public acceptance of RFID. Only then the technology can deliver its numerous economic and societal benefits.

The European Commission is working to ensure that measures are established for securing Privacy & Security within the scope of the Data Protection Directive.