AIM Global (Warrendale, Pa.) the professional association recognized as the worldwide authority on automatic identification and mobility, has published RFID: For the Common Good in RFID Connections. This article, written by Dan Mullen, president AIM Global, highlights RFID's proven benefits for enhancing security, safety and product authentication while addressing concerns expressed about privacy issues. This article is part of an ongoing series addressing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) industry issues.
"It's important to realize that RFID is not a monolithic technology," Mullen writes, "and attempting to develop a one-size-fits-all approach to privacy and security would instead result in a one-size-fits-none 'solution' that could deprive citizens of existing and future benefits of the technology."
The article highlights examples of the existing benefits and uses of RFID to enhance security, personal safety and authentication of products, such as food and medications.
In addition, it examines how best to address concerns about security and privacy involving multiple RFID products and systems.
It also proposes a "common sense approach" to ensure that RFID’s benefits to consumers are maximized while balancing concerns over privacy.
"RFID is not a new technology,” says Mullen. “It has benefited businesses and consumers for decades. We want to ensure that people inside and outside our industry clearly understand how RFID works, recognize what it can and cannot do, and therefore make educated decisions about it."
RFID: For the Common Good is available online at: www.rfid.org. The site also provides a downloadable video on RFID that will be aired over the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) network and a wealth of other information from global industry experts and leaders of international standards organizations.
