San Francisco - The spread of radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology - tiny chips that identify an item and can be read from afar - raises significant privacy concerns. While libraries may be able to use RFIDs to help with the checking in and checking out of books, the technology can also easily be used to track the exact location of those books--and the people who check them out. When books or other expressional materials are "tagged," free speech is also an issue. Libraries have long sought to protect the reading habits of patrons from prying eyes, but RFIDs could drastically undermine that tradition.
Despite the opposition of EFF and other groups like the ACLU [PDF, 293k], the S.F. Library Commission recently voted to proceed with the Library's RFID plan. This meant that the RFID plan became part of the Library's budget submission for the coming fiscal year. At the June 19 meeting of the Board of Supervisors' Budget Committee, we almost stopped the Library's RFID plan. Supervisor Chris Daly moved to "zero out" funding for RFIDs, and Budget Committee Chair Gerard Sandoval seconded the motion. Supervisor Jake McGoldrick sought to delay the vote, but Sandoval said he wanted to vote on Daly's motion. We think the motion would have carried 2-1, but the city attorney's office declared that it would be procedurally improper to vote on the motion, so no vote was actually taken.
Daly's motion to cancel RFID funding was finally voted on at the Budget Committee's July 2 meeting. Unfortunately, this time Daly was the only vote to eliminate RFID funding - Sandoval and McGoldrick both voted against Daly's motion.
The fate of the Library's RFID plan is now in the hands of the full Board of Supervisors. EFF has already sent three letters (dated June 23, 2004 [PDF, 293k], July 1, 2004 [PDF, 412k] and July 16, 2004 [PDF, 164k]) to the supervisors opposing the plan. On Tuesday, July 20, the Board will vote on the city budget at its "first reading." We believe that Daly will again move to cut RFID funding, and that this will be the last practical chance to cut RFID funding from the budget.
What You Can Do:
EFF urges every interested San Franciscan to contact his or her supervisor, as well as the Clerk of the Board, and express support for Supervisor Daly's motion to cut funding for the Library's RFID plan. Writing to the Clerk of the Board guarantees that your comments become part of the public record. Fill out your information and select your supervisor from the list below.
