AIM Global Editorial Series Spotlights RFID Privacy and Security; ''RFID: For the Common Good'' Addresses RFID's Concerns and Benefits.

WARRENDALE, Pa. -- AIM Global, the professional association recognized as the worldwide authority on automatic identification and mobility, has published "RFID: For the Common Good" in RFID Connections. This article, written by Dan Mullen, president AIM Global, highlights RFID's proven benefits for enhancing security, safety and product authentication while addressing concerns expressed about privacy issues. This article is part of an ongoing series addressing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) industry issues.

"It's important to realize that RFID is not a monolithic technology," Mullen writes, "and attempting to develop a one-size-fits-all approach to privacy and security would instead result in a one-size-fits-none 'solution' that could deprive citizens of existing and future benefits of the technology."

The article:

--Highlights examples of the existing benefits and uses of RFID to enhance security, personal safety and authentication of products, such as food and medications;

--Examines how best to address concerns over security and privacy involving multiple RFID products and systems;

--Proposes a "common sense approach" to ensure that RFID's benefits to consumers are maximized while balancing concerns over privacy.

"RFID is not a new technology. It has benefited businesses and consumers for decades," Mullen emphasized. "We want to ensure that people inside and outside our industry clearly understand how RFID works, recognize what it can and cannot do, and therefore make educated decisions about it."

As an international trade association with a diverse membership representing the entire Automatic Identification and Data Collection (AIDC) industry, including bar codes, biometrics, and sensors, AIM Global is uniquely positioned to provide accurate, unbiased information about the technologies through online resources and a panel of industry experts willing to speak with media, legislators and consumer groups on the issues of RFID privacy and security.

Online resources include websites, www.aimglobal.org and www.rfid.org, e-newsletters, white papers and technical reports.

As a service to the industry, consumers, media and legislators, AIM has undertaken several initiatives designed to define and develop privacy and security best practices and has published a number of educational articles about these issues.

"RFID: For the Common Good" is available online at: www.rfid.org. The site also provides a downloadable video on RFID that will be aired over the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) network and a wealth of other information from global industry experts and leaders of international standards organizations.

About AIM Global

For more than 30 years, AIM Global has served as the professional association and worldwide authority on automatic identification, data collection and networking in a mobile environment. AIM Global members are providers and users of technologies, systems, and services that capture, manage, and integrate accurate data into larger information systems. Serving more than 900 members in 43 countries, AIM is dedicated to accelerating the growth and use of Automatic Identification and Mobility technologies and services around the world.

For more information on AIM Global, its technologies and its members, please visit www.aimglobal.org or www.rfid.org.

Links:

"RFID for the Common Good"
http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/anmviewer.asp?a=1204&z=24

AIM Global Publishes RFID Position Statement On Consumer Privacy
and Security:
http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/templates/aimpress.asp?articleid
=459&zoneid=1 (Due to its length, this URL may need to be
copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the
extra space if one exists.)

PBS Video:
http://www.aimglobal.org/Services/RFIDSpotlight.asp

AIM Global Spotlights RFID Privacy and Security:
http://www.aimglobal.org/members/news/anmviewer.asp?a=1182&z=3