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Public Opinion Towards RFID Technology
Li F, Clarke NL
Advances in Communications, Computing, Networks and Security 5, ISBN: 978-1-84102-257-4, pp29-38, 2008
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RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) is an automatic identification technique. A fundamental RFID device, often know as an “RFID tag”, which is a tiny inexpensive chip with built-in antenna, can be attached on an item. By using radio waves, the tag’s presence and its data can be recognised by the RFID reader. RFID technology can be used in many applications to provide the fast and convenient services. As the tag broadcasts its radio signal to all the dimensions in various distances, this raises the security and privacy concerns such as sniffing and tracking when people carry RFID tagged items. This paper examines the public’s security and privacy awareness towards RFID technology. A total of 365 participants completed the survey. From an analysis of the results in was found that: 55% of the participants thought that wireless technology is not secure to use although numbers of security mechanisms have already been employed and 75% of them were worried about the fact that their privacy will be compromised (such as being monitored when they use their wireless devices). What was also found is that 36% of the participants have heard RFID technology before, and compared this with past consumer survey from 2003, here with an increased 13% in result, this indicates that there is still a strong need to educate people about the RFID technology to help them familiarise with the technology; furthermore, 67% of the participants chose their personal privacy over the specialised services which would be provided by the RFID technology, this demonstrates that people were more concerned about their privacy over functionality.

Li F, Clarke NL