Bill Aims At RFID Privacy

California state Sen. Debra Bowen introduced a bill last week seeking to regulate radio-frequency identification technology's use in retail stores. The bill outlines three requirements for a business using an RFID system that can track products or people: Tell customers it's using RFID, get consent to track or collect any information, and detach or destroy RFID tags on products before the customer leaves the store.

Most companies, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Target Corp., are focused on using RFID tags on pallets or cases, not individual items, to make tracking shipments easier. Only German retailer Metro Group AG has said it intends to use RFID along its entire supply chain, including in 250 stores, which it plans to do by November. But, Bowen says in a statement, "there's no reason to let RFID sneak up on us."