Privacy Concerns about RFID Deployments Abound; Track & Trace Summit to Weigh the Benefits and Concerns of RFID Use in Consumer Applications

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 12, 2005--Although RFID vendors, consultants, and evangelists have touted the overwhelming benefits of RFID, citizens and consumer advocacy groups are still raising privacy concerns, especially in public libraries where RFID tracking systems have been deployed.

Recently, the Berkeley (Calif.) Public Library has come under fire from its own members for failing to provide adequate information about its plans to use the technology before deploying an RFID tracking system, according to a July 11, 2005 article in RFID Journal(1)

“Only through intelligent discussion between RFID providers, end users, and the public will consensus emerge about the best way to balance productivity and personal privacy.”

That same article notes that the San Francisco Public Library has formed a committee to deal with technology and privacy issues, and has even met with privacy advocacy groups to get their input.

As such, it's clear that the balance between progress and privacy remains tenuous. At the Track & Trace Summit, which will be held October 17-19 in Miami, FL, industry leaders, policymakers, and privacy advocates will discuss these privacy issues through session presentations, panel discussions, and a head-to-head debate.

"Privacy issues remain extremely essential to the continued development of RFID technology, especially in applications which touch everyday consumers," said Keith Kirkpatrick, Event Director for the Track & Trace Summit. "Only through intelligent discussion between RFID providers, end users, and the public will consensus emerge about the best way to balance productivity and personal privacy."

The Privacy and Security Track at the Summit will include industry leaders and advocates including:

-- Barry Tischgart, Senior Product Manager, SPRINT, will discuss strategic ways to overcome privacy concerns by providing essential services and developing up-front disclosure policies

-- Matt Green, JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, and Senior Security Analyst, INDEPENDENT SECURITY EVALUATORS, will establish best practices for eliminating fraud within RFID systems

-- Jim Harper, Director of Information Policy Studies, THE CATO INSTITUTE, and Barry Steinhardt, Director, ACLU's TECHNOLOGY AND LIBERTY PROGRAM, will face off in a head-to-head debate on privacy versus productivity

-- Mssrs. Harper, Steinhardt, and Tischgart will participate in a panel discussion on the need to separate perception vs. reality, the value of RFID education, the state of personal privacy, and solutions to ensuring data integrity and the trust of privacy advocates

Although privacy is one of the most important issues surrounding RFID, the Track & Trace Summit also will address the other timely issues through a comprehensive agenda that includes:

-- A full day, multi-tracked Pre-conference symposium: Executing Process Changes To Reap ROI From RFID Rollouts

-- A full-day workshop: The Essentials of RFID: A One-Day Intense Introduction to the RFID World, provided by IIR and American RFID Solutions

-- Two full days of conference sessions including keynote presentations on the direction of the industry and key lessons learned from pilot programs; real-world case studies featuring leaders from manufacturing, retailing, and healthcare; and interactive panel discussions featuring industry leaders, academics, and legislative experts.

-- Six independent business strategy and technical tracks for a targeted learning experience across two days

Leading RFID providers from around the world also will appear at the Track & Trace Summit, including QLM Consulting, American RFID Solutions, Science Applications International Corp., Venable LLP, and TransCore. (1) "SF Library Denied Funds For RFID," RFID Journal, July 11, 2005, as viewed at http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/1708/1/1/