January 3, 2005

Gee-whiz Gadgets that Can Keep and Eye on Users

Thousands of new products are being offered to consumers under the heading of making life easier, but some of the technology may also make life less private. Some of the technology includes alert systems that inform users when they are leaving behind wallets, laptops or cellphones, auto updates for laptops and cellphones when leaving the vicinity of a base unit. RFID tags in student ID's that can be use to track punctuality, but could also be used to track the location of the holders on or off campus. One proposal is to include RFID technology in watches. Technology produced without a consideration of the privacy implication s will be the most challenging to privacy watchdogs.

High-tech gadgets pull back curtains on previously private, Kansas City Star, December 8, 2004.