The government is drafting new guidelines that ban the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to collect and store information on consumer spending habits.
The Ministry of Information and Communication intends to announce the new guidelines tomorrow, during a public hearing to discuss the issue and ways to implement better privacy mechanisms.
RFID uses a microchip that sends radio waves containing product identification data to an electronic reader.
The technology is designed to improve efficiency in supply-chain management and inventory for companies in the manufacturing and retail sectors, while opening new market opportunities for electronic equipment and semiconductor industries.
Companies such as telecom operators and retailers are expected to be among the businesses most affected by the guidelines.
Electronic tags will be required to hung visibly from items and must be designed to be easily disabled by the consumer after the purchase...
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