Transmitter becomes big brother

    Determining the whereabouts of a person will soon be a piece of cake.
   That is because the purchase of a cake will soon identify a person's location.
   Companies are seeking to replace bar codes located on all products with new technology called RFID, radio frequency identification. The products will contain transmitters that can be smaller than a grain of rice.
   Companies want all products to be identified-everything identified. This includes clothing, grocery products, whatever is in a store. It sounds as though they want to get to know the customers up close and personal.
   These companies should keep their distances just a bit.
   Granted, the transmitters will be more convenient for companies who want to help out their employees. From several feet away, the people involved in the digital RFID process can better understand a shipment of products with tags explaining information about the product.
   With the tags in place, dock workers or stockers do not have to move or totally unpack pallets, crates or boxes to identify the contents or obtain handling directions.
   The tags can generate a signal that will help workers know what they are dealing with, making it easier for companies to identify what any individual buys at any particular time.
   Can this be the next step in the government's tracking our locations with the RFID scanners in our homes, cars and jobs?
   Privacy advocates think so.These groups do not want all items owned by consumers tracked. Why would a shirt need to be tracked? Wouldn't that be an invasion of privacy for all purchasers?
   The tags on the products would be active in the RFID system depending on how long the shirt is owned.
   For some products, the tags might be beneficial for owners by retaining warranty information.
   Protests and boycotts have occurred against the companies who have talked about experimenting with the RFID tags on individual items. As for now, companies have issued statements to privacy organizations, saying the RFID process is not yet available at a reasonable price.
   The RFID industry is offering a solution for those who are outraged. Stores would offer kill switches that will allow consumers to turn off the chip once they leave the store.
   RFID technology has been used for years in car-ignition keys without problems. But why should stores use kill switches for groceries? How about the store receipt being enough proof about what the consumer just purchased. There is no need to add another step into the process of shopping at a store.
   Privacy worries may appear to be a minor issue companies might deal with, but it could become the biggest. Lucky for them, the technology for this process is not perfect. The radio signals have trouble connecting with metals and liquids.
   That is good news for those who hide soft drink cravings.