Talking Tags : New high-tech labels help libraries track books, but worry privacy advocates
This article about putting RFID tags in library books is a good illustration showing how the majority of people simply do not know how to solve problems or deal with ethical issues. I like this technology and the idea of putting it to use to make libraries function more efficiently and prevent losses but worries that it will endanger privacy concerns cannot be argued with comments like, "I don't think there is a cause for immediate concern." So what if it's not problematic now? We are all aware that there is a future and that there are consequences for what we do, so, especially in the case of technology, what MIGHT be possible needs to be addressed. And besides, although I don't know much about the technology, I don't it's a big leap to suggest that maybe the fact that "RFID tags can transmit information to devices designed to pick up the signals and interpret them" could be disabled or garbled or something outside of the library. Such transmissions are not required outside of the library, so turn 'em off! It'll cost more money and trouble but it's better than losing thousands of dollars of materials or taking away people's rights.
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