Brand new technical standards have been agreed upon by the EU to help Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) users maintain greater privacy. Rules created based on the standards will help RFID systems comply in a uniform manner.
The new standards will help companies and public institutions in using RFID tags more comfortably knowing that they are not crossing any privacy lines. In addition, purchasers of RFID tagged products will be able to know immediately if a product they buy will be tracked as a result of the symbol mounted on the item. Thus they will be able to make a well-informed decision of whether they wan to purchase the product or not.
Banks, retailers and healthcare companies can be out of the “gray zone” in which they were previously working as a result of such standards being non-existent for data protection.
The use of the logos is voluntary but many associations have signed up already including Germany’s BITKOM.
RFID smart chips are tiny and very cheap to purchase so they have become a part of many retailers everyday use. They help to stock, prevent theft and a standardized logo will now provide an added benefit to consumers.
