CASPIAN Calls for Worldwide Boycott of Gillette/RFIDs

August 25, 2003 - Privacy News

CASPIAN (Consumers Against Supermarket Privacy Invasion and Numbering) is calling for a worldwide boycott of Gillette because Gillette has not backed down over an alleged plan by Gillette to track its products using RFID tags. If a Gillette product is removed from a shelf in a store, the RFID tag can tell that the product has been moved. In reponse to the movement, the shopper is photographed. The idea is to limit shoplifting.

Katherine Albrecht of CASPIAN says "We have corroborated evidence that a Gillette 'smart shelf' fitted with radio frequency identification (RFID) devices can sense when packages are removed from a store shelf and, in response, take pictures of consumers handling them. Tracking and photographing consumers without their knowledge and consent is unacceptable."

More information is available at <http://www.sierratimes.com/03/08/12/ar_Privacy_Group_Launches_Worldwide_Boycott_Against_Shaving_Ravor_Corp.htm>.

Last updated August 26, 2003