Monday, July 26, 2010

Wal-Mart is Putting Trackable Radio Tags in Your Underwear That Cannot Be Turned Off



Hansel and Gretel wanted to follow a trail of cookie crumbs. Wal-Mart wants to follow your underwear.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to roll out sophisticated electronic ID tags to track individual pairs of jeans and underwear, the first step in a system that advocates say better controls inventory but some critics say raises privacy concerns.

Starting next month, the retailer will place removable "smart tags" on individual garments that can be read by a hand-held scanner. Wal-Mart workers will be able to quickly learn, for instance, which size of Wrangler jeans is missing, with the aim of ensuring shelves are optimally stocked and inventory tightly watched. If successful, the radio-frequency ID tags will be rolled out on other products at Wal-Mart's more than 3,750 U.S. stores.

While the tags can be removed from clothing and packages, they can't be turned off, and they are trackable.

Do you think this will also apply to boxers?

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