RSA, with help from TI, has implemented and demonstrated their blocker tag, as reported by Wired News. Albrecht, while expressing apreciation for RSA's efforts, expressed some concern that this solution might only be available to the "technology elite."
At least blocker tags should be cheap. As I understood Ari Juels, et al., paper on blocker tags, the only reasons for them to cost any more than the tags they are blocking would be economies of scale and any patent fees RSA might extract. If it is affordable to put tags on every product, then surely it will be affordable to put blocker tags on every shopping bag.
The point is taken, however, that relying on blocker tags, or the like, shifts the privacy burden to the consumer. Giving the consumer tools to protect their privacy is a good idea. Who is better motivated? Requiring that corporations respect consumers' privacy is good too.
Posted by holtzman at March 1, 2004 09:42 AM