RFID Microchips in Clothing (Part 1)

They say “Clothes make the man”…what happens when “Clothes reveal everything about the man?”

The Emergence of RFID Microchips in Clothing (Part 1)

Imagine walking into a store you have never previously visited and a clerk walks up to you and asks, “How are those size 36 Dockers pants working out for you? Would you like another pair — maybe this time in charcoal color?” Well you’re not wearing Dockers pants and you’ll be damned if you have ever met this clerk. So, how does he know that you previously purchased size 36 Dockers pants a year ago?!?

Most people have heard of the term “spyware”, which is essentially any technology that helps in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge. The most harmful forms of spyware can collect, use and distribute your most personal information, like banking passwords and credit card numbers. But what about “spy wear,” which allows your clothing to spy on you? Some clothing manufactures are putting more than wash-and-wear labels into clothing labels. And most importantly, when you buy an article of clothing, are you consenting to be tracked and accounted without your knowledge any time you wear that article of clothing? If an undercover policeman gave you a free t-shirt that could track your movements when you wore it, would that be legal?

RFID, which stands for Radio Frequency Identification, are tiny inexpensive sensors that can be attached or embedded into almost anything, including clothes or clothing labels. The labels are useful for inventory control, but also have potential for tracking and monitoring consumers.

Read the Remainder at Medium