The ultimate invasion of privacy
Share this pageRe “Got chips? Implanting people with microchips raises intriguing possibilities—and grave fears,” July 21: I have been examining privacy concerns related to RFID (radio frequency identification tags) for the past few years.
I’ve introduced a package of bills that sets privacy standards for the use of RFID, including SB 362, which would prohibit any person from forcing any other person to undergo an RFID implant in their body or any other device that transmits their personal information. It passed out of the Senate and is awaiting a vote on the Assembly floor.
RFID technology is not in and of itself the issue. RFID is a minor miracle, with all sorts of good uses. But we shouldn’t condone “tagging” humans. It’s the ultimate invasion of privacy.
And because RFID is a technology with inherent privacy vulnerabilities, we must be careful about its proliferation into other areas of our lives—the tagging of government-issued identification documents such as driver’s licenses and school ID badges.
To address the latter, I have introduced SB 28 and 29, respectively.
Let’s look before we leap. Privacy is a fundamental right under the California Constitution. As such, we have a responsibility to protect it.
- Joe Simitian, Palo Alto
State Senator, Eleventh District
Letter to the Editor Published in the Sacramento Bee