RFID tracking devices in shoes & clothing

[piccicatopolka]

Maybe for the military but do YOU want to be tracked everywhere YOU go and other have tracking devices will read YOU. This is scheduled to happen in August at Macy's and other retailers. Assuming the answer is yes, how does Macy’s handle the signals it picks up from customer’s ePassports, Enhanced Driver’s Licenses, and other EPC-tagged items?

Is there ever a good time to roll out RFID surveillance and tracking devices in shoes and clothing? For internal store security and general stock locating seems fair but not once you leave the building.

 

[thør]

Sounds like a Kim Stanley Robinson novel, specifically, the Science in the Capital series.

 

[blobfish]

I don't wear any clothes made after 1990, so I'll be good.

 

[piccicatopolka]

A customer was the one who brought this to my attention last night. He wanted to know if our product lines would be using these devices. He went on for a while and then started bringing up that Walmart is planning to use RFIDs in underwear. He looked me right in the eyes and asked what I would think of my underwear being tracked... to which I replied that I wouldn't be caught dead in Walmart undies!

 

[blobfish]

A customer was the one who brought this to my attention last night. He wanted to know if our product lines would be using these devices. He went on for a while and then started bringing up that Walmart is planning to use RFIDs in underwear. He looked me right in the eyes and asked what I would think of my underwear being tracked... to which I replied that I wouldn't be caught dead in Walmart undies!

If they can track women's underwear, I will be in some serious shit.

 

[piccicatopolka]

Part of my role at a "prominent box store" is security. I'm often the one who may or may not clear someone's passage if the store door alarm goes off. I can imagine what could happen if RFIDs are part of that system. Your underwear or whatever could be making other store's dingers ding. We often have people coming in to return merchandise that makes the entrance alarm go off which means that the cashier did not de-activate it at the time of purchase.

 

[HAL_9000]

I think standard rfid anti-theft tags have been in use for a long time?

 

[about_average]

They're using RFID for inventory control.
A quick Google doesn't turn up anything about if they disable the device once a purchase is made. That's the key bit of information.

 

[HAL_9000]

They're using RFID for inventory control.
A quick Google doesn't turn up anything about if they disable the device once a purchase is made. That's the key bit of information.

Who leaves the alarm tag on their clothes, anyway?

 

[fuckwaffle]

Part of my role at a "prominent box store" is security. I'm often the one who may or may not clear someone's passage if the store door alarm goes off. I can imagine what could happen if RFIDs are part of that system. Your underwear or whatever could be making other store's dingers ding. We often have people coming in to return merchandise that makes the entrance alarm go off which means that the cashier did not de-activate it at the time of purchase.

Acutally, my spouse purchased a coat at some store I forget where, and it had an RFID tag in it. Not knowing, every time we went through the door at any retailer we set off the alarm.

Then one day, I was looking at the coat after an incident of alarm ringing and spotted a tag with a label...it said "Remove after purchase." That was it, there was no other label anywhere. Just this inch square tag at the seam in the lining of the coat.

So if all those stores really do start using RFID tags, get ready for a whole lot of alarm ringing at the doorways.

 

[blobfish]

Acutally, my spouse purchased a coat at some store I forget where, and it had an RFID tag in it. Not knowing, every time we went through the door at any retailer we set off the alarm.

Then one day, I was looking at the coat after an incident of alarm ringing and spotted a tag with a label...it said "Remove after purchase." That was it, there was no other label anywhere. Just this inch square tag at the seam in the lining of the coat.

So if all those stores really do start using RFID tags, get ready for a whole lot of alarm ringing at the doorways.

Was it a five finger purchase?

 

[fuckwaffle]

Was it a five finger purchase?

Nope, wasn't told about it at the time of checkout and from what I gather upon examination of the item, they wouldn't have been able to deactivate it at the register.

 

[Noor]

You mean those square things with silver foil on them?

I have been considering shielding my cards like I do my passport.

I can make most of my clothing except shoes anyway

 

[Noor]

How do you jam them?

 

[blobfish]

How do you jam them?

Depends on where you want them jammed.

 

[Noor]

Depends on where you want them jammed.

Hi BF, how are you today?

Those squares have been in software for decades.

 

[blobfish]

Hi BF, how are you today?

Those squares have been in software for decades.

I'm doing pretty well. How about you? I'm accepting positions in my harem currently. Missionary has yet to be filled.

 

[Noor]

I'm doing pretty well. How about you? I'm accepting positions in my harem currently. Missionary has yet to be filled.

Comme ci, comme ça...

I hope you can find someone interesting. Missionary can be quite dull on the receiving end at times.

 

[blobfish]

Comme ci, comme ça...

I hope you can find someone interesting. Missionary can be quite dull on the receiving end at times.

Tell me about it! I'm hoping for someone with some texture down there.

 

[oggbashan]

How do you jam them?

Just putting them next to my skin seems to work.

I've had to replace credit and debit cards because the static I generate has blown their memory.

Years ago, I was in hospital for diagnostic tests. The heart monitor flatlined. The brain scan was zero activity (I know. My brain doesn't work.) Neither monitor worked until they broke the skin to attach the electrodes. Even then the signals were weak.

In the early days of PCs I had to wear a wrist earthing strap otherwise the CPU failed. As for actually touching the chip to insert it? I had to wear latex gloves or I would blow every chip. I can't touch the SIM card in my phone and have to get the retailer to transfer it.

 

[fgarvb1]

(makes note to invest in copper and stainless steel mesh shielding.)

and RF jamming devices.

 

[HAL_9000]

Just putting them next to my skin seems to work.

I've had to replace credit and debit cards because the static I generate has blown their memory.

Years ago, I was in hospital for diagnostic tests. The heart monitor flatlined. The brain scan was zero activity (I know. My brain doesn't work.) Neither monitor worked until they broke the skin to attach the electrodes. Even then the signals were weak.

In the early days of PCs I had to wear a wrist earthing strap otherwise the CPU failed. As for actually touching the chip to insert it? I had to wear latex gloves or I would blow every chip. I can't touch the SIM card in my phone and have to get the retailer to transfer it.

Have you ever noticed streetlights turn on or off when you pass under them?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_light_interference_phenomenon

 

[oggbashan]

Have you ever noticed streetlights turn on or off when you pass under them?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_light_interference_phenomenon

No. But I had a company Fiat with a digital dashboard. If I touched it to change the display e.g. from miles per hour to kilometres per hour - it would blow. I had three new dashboards under guarantee. After the third, I asked to change the car.

 

[HAL_9000]

No. But I had a company Fiat with a digital dashboard. If I touched it to change the display e.g. from miles per hour to kilometres per hour - it would blow. I had three new dashboards under guarantee. After the third, I asked to change the car.

odd...so now we know who the homing beacon is for the coming alien invasion.

 

[bronzeage]

Maybe for the military but do YOU want to be tracked everywhere YOU go and other have tracking devices will read YOU. This is scheduled to happen in August at Macy's and other retailers. Assuming the answer is yes, how does Macy’s handle the signals it picks up from customer’s ePassports, Enhanced Driver’s Licenses, and other EPC-tagged items?

Is there ever a good time to roll out RFID surveillance and tracking devices in shoes and clothing? For internal store security and general stock locating seems fair but not once you leave the building.

A pair of pants just entered Macy's. How do they know who is wearing the pants?