§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they believe that retailers and other users of radio frequency identification tags should make their policies and practices in respect of such tags available to the public. [HL154]
115WA
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleThe extent to which retailers and others disclose their use of technology to customers or the wider public is a decision to be taken by the companies concerned. Some customers have concerns over the use of radio frequency (RFID) tags that could result in an unwillingness to shop at particular establishments should those concerns not be addressed. There are examples of where this has happened. There are also instances where retailers have successfully introduced or piloted innovative RFID systems and this success has, in large part, been due to the retailer explaining to staff and customers why the technology is being used and the limitations to its use, and offering customers the choice of removal or deactivation of RFID tags on purchase.
It therefore appears that disclosure and choice in the use of RFID tags makes sound business sense and should be encouraged. The Department of Trade and Industry is in discussion with RFID technology suppliers and users to determine whether a disclosure regime similar to that applied to the use of closed circuit television (CCTV) would be helpful in this matter.