Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags have entered the business world at invasion strength, welcomed by manufacturers and retailers for their ergonomic benefits – the technology tracks inventory and staff with amazing efficiency. But for many of their employees the tracking feels like non-stop surveillance, even slavery, and a leading British trade union is predicting a revolt.
RFID tags are miniscule microchips, now smaller than a grain of sand. They listen for a radio query and respond by transmitting their unique ID code. Integrated with local wireless networks or the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system, they can locate any tagged item – or tagged person