Those Tracking Tags on Your Recycle Bins . . .

. . . are called RFID tags, short for "Radio Frequency ID." The tag is on the back side where the handle is located and looks like a paper mail label. Here's how this technology (RFID) is being used in law enforcement.

Prisons Use RFID Systems To Track Inmates Government Technology

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, which is used extensively by retail establishments and other commercial businesses, is now being used by developed for use in correctional facilities to track inmates and staff and to prevent problems before they occur.

Facilities in states such as California, Virginia, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, and Minnesota have implemented RFID inmate tracking systems. The use of RFID provides an added level of security to facilities, allowing staff to know where everyone inside the RF perimeter is at any time. Also, having this level of tracking and identification within a facility allows staff to keep known members of rival gangs away from each other.

Furthermore, the system's capabilities can be used to expedite investigations involving inmates or staff by identifying individuals in the area at the time of an incident.

CAUTION: Your New Recycle Bin Contains a Radio Frequency Identification Tag for Tracking

The question of a computer chip being part of the recycling bins recently distributed by St. Louis County was brought up during the County Council’s meeting on April 1. The question was directed to Dr. Gunn of the County who said the recycle bins were identified by a bar code for the purpose of verifying delivery of the bins to county residents.

A check of a recycle bin uncovered a RFID tag and not a bar code. A bar code must be read by a scanning device whereas a RFID tag is read by transmitted radio waves.
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The tag, shown above, looks like a paper mail label which is pasted below the hinge on the cart. When peeled off, you can see the chip and circuitry.

What is RFID?

RFID : Radio frequency identification is an automatic remote identification method using radio communications to transfer data between an interrogator or reader and transponder or tag without the requiring a line-of-sight. An RFID system consists of tags and readers that are connected to a host or network. The RFID tag can be attached to an object, which enables remote identification by the reader. Tags can be either active, including battery, or passive, powered by the electromagnetic field produced by the reader. RFID technology enables remote identification of tagged goods, animals or people, without human intervention.

While the RFID technology has great promise, some feel it looks like a Big Brother way of life.
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