In a previous article posted at www.realitycheck.typepad.com I wrote about the sinister, but largely unknown effects of RFID chips, or “spychips” as they are called. I explained that the entire retail industry is focused on implanting RFID chips in merchandise so that goods and their owners can be tracked, and their data can be ‘mined.’
I also mentioned that credit card companies are getting into the act. Recently, CIBC VISA has sent me a new microchipped card with almost no information about what the RFID chip is capable of, other than to increase my ‘security.’
Most people have no idea what this is all about- through no fault of their own. Information is being totally withheld from consumers by corporations, banks and now the Ontario government.
Earlier this week it was reported that enhanced driver’s licences legislation passed third reading in the Legislature. As I watched the debate I was stunned at the lack of understanding of this important issue.
Only NDP member Peter Kormos, in my opinion, had studied the issue and knew about the pandora’s box of infringements and fraud that will occur with RFID. Consider that these cards, like credit cards or loyalty cards in retail stores, contain a chip with a transponder that sends a ‘unique number’ to a chip reader. Once that unique number has been sent, it is connected to all kinds of personal information about the holder of the card.
Imagine you were carrying a file folder of personal information, forgot it somewhere and someone picked it up, and read the contents of the folder. That’s what is going to happen with RFID. The authorities are saying it’s just a number, but I’m saying it’s more than that, a lot more.
Eyes must have glazed over when Kormos was speaking in the Legislature- either the members don’t understand or they don’t care. The potential for identity theft, fraudulent use of personal information and its transfer are vital concerns.
Our politicians are being browbeaten by the Americans to gloss over the many issues surrounding RFID. That’s not good enough. Our government has been ramming “confidentiality and security of information” down our throats for the past 10 years. It’s just a façade, an illusion- that they really care about our privacy.
Unfortunately this legislation has passed, well under the radar, and not in the public interest. I’m disappointed that local MP Jim Brownell didn’t become involved in this issue on behalf of the riding.
I challenge the media to do a full investigative report on the use of RFID(since the government failed to do this) and report the findings to the readers. Supposedly, we have a ‘free press’ in Canada, so there shouldn’t be any problem in reporting on this.
It is clear that the use of RFID represents a huge giveaway of private information, and is a serious threat to our human rights and freedoms in Canada.
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