10 chapters across the catalog
The Biden administration's omnibus bill includes funding for electronic RFID ear tags for cattle, which critics like Representative Thomas Massie argue is a precursor to a national registry. Ranchers express concern that this data monitoring will lead to land seizures under the guise of climate change and sustainable development. The segment links this to BlackRock CEO Larry Fink’s vision of "tokenizing" every physical asset on a blockchain.
Passive RFID stickers used for highway tolls are powered by induction from overhead readers, raising minor concerns about radiation. Separately, the Foursquare app continues to generate $100 million annually by collecting location data from "zombie apps" left on users' phones.
Microchip Implants, Three Square Market, In-Body GPS
Todd Wesby, CEO of Three Square Market, discusses his company's program to implant microchips in employees for office access and computer login. The hosts express skepticism, suggesting that such technology will eventually be mandated by insurance companies for health monitoring. They also critique a report on "in-body GPS" for drug delivery.
The hosts theorize that the media coverage of Randall Saito's escape is propaganda designed to build support for the Real ID Act. They suggest the escape may have been a controlled test of tracking technologies, including potential RFID chipping.
End of Banking Secrecy and Dutch Tracking Systems
Over 50 countries, including Switzerland, have signed an agreement to automatically exchange banking information by 2017 to end tax evasion. The hosts discuss the increasing difficulty of moving money internationally and share personal stories about the intrusive tracking of financial and physical movements in the Netherlands via RFID travel cards and phone positioning.
E-ZPass Tracking, RFID Privacy and Lead Foil Shields
A presentation from a security conference demonstrated that E-ZPass tags are being read by sensors throughout New York City, not just at toll booths, to track vehicle movement. While officials claim this is for traffic flow analysis, privacy advocates view it as "slave tracking." The hosts suggest using lead foil or a Faraday cage to block the signal when not in use.
Electronic Skin Tattoos, RFID Syringes
The hosts discuss a study in the journal Science regarding electronic skin tattoos used for monitoring physiological status. They link this to previous discussions about RFID tracking devices being injected via syringes during vaccinations.
3M Acquisitions, Remote People Tracking Technology
3M has acquired Atenti, a company specializing in "Remote People Tracking" for judicial and geriatric care. The hosts connect this to 3M's other recent acquisition of a fingerprint ID company, suggesting a move toward universal RFID and GPS tracking. They joke that Lindsay Lohan may soon be wearing a 3M tracking bracelet instead of going to jail.
RFID Tracking of Children in Richmond Schools
The George Miller Children's School in Richmond, California, has implemented an RFID tracking system where children wear jerseys embedded with sensors. While officials claim the system saves "man-hours" on attendance and improves safety, the hosts condemn it as an "inventory system" for children. They express outrage that the technology, funded by a federal grant, treats students like trackable assets.
Verizon is running commercials that normalize the tracking of children via mobile maps, framing it as a tool for parental peace of mind. This marketing strategy is seen as a way to reduce resistance to pervasive RFID surveillance. By setting the stage through news stories about lost individuals and helpful technology, companies create a demand for constant location monitoring.
