Imagine being awoken late at night by the sound of a downstairs window smashing and the rustling of someone going through you belongings… Your reaction? You would probably turn over and go back to sleep because a chip in the window frame would detect the window breaking and the even smaller RFID chip would alert the Police through the wireless network that engulfs the city. This isn’t as crazy as it sounds, we are quickly moving towards such a society due to the combination of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and Ubiquitous Computing (in which information processing has been thoroughly integrated into everyday objects and activities, making the present user/PC interaction obsolete) The so called next generation of computing.
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This technology that allows a person to be located and listened to have benefits for organisation's (public or private) and they may not be all that good for the normal person. Indiscretions like putting an empty bottle in the “wrong” bin would mean a fine could be emailed straight to the offender. Didn’t press the button at the road crossing? The city authorities will fine you before you get home. Criticise the boss at the water cooler? You are sacked by the time you get back to your desk.
That is only a minor potential draw back. The real worry though is a totalitarian regime getting its hands such technology. There have been reports already this year of local councils in the UK of misusing powers granted after 9/11 to spy on families to see if they qualify for a school placement in a particular area as well spying on their own workers if they are suspected of feigning sick or to even minor bad practice like taking lunch breaks early or smoking. And that is the UK, In a less tolerant country. Making an off the cuff remark about the lack of intelligence possessed by the national leader to your partner over dinner and a black uniformed stasi group could be walking through your front door before you finish dessert.