-----------
In addition the tag would likely only contain information about the product. So if you wear your GAP jeans back into a GAP and the ID tag is pickup by their system all they know is that you are wearing their jeans. They could also tell this by simply reading the label on the waistband of the jeans.
-----------

That would depend entirely on how you purchased those jeans. Did you use cash? And when you paid, did you refuse to give them your phone number (I'm not sure if The GAP does this)? That's your only chance to make an anonymous purchase. If you used any form of credit device, your new jeans can now be attached to your identity.

Increasing performance and decreasing costs of networks, storage, and processor power make linking these bits of data more and more viable. And certainly the kind of information marketing groups seem to really like.

Of course, there are flaws to this system. The next time you visit The GAP or a marketing partner such as, say, Verizon Wireless the store marketing system might report you as your Aunt Emma or your girlfriend.

[ reply ]

Link to this comment: http://www.securityfocus.com/comments/columns/169/20600#20600