Maybe it should be called "Spywear".


Recently, fashion retailer Benetton considered working with Philips Electronics NV in Amsterdam to create and attach radio frequency identification (RFID) "smart tags" in Sisley clothing line labels in oder to track shipments, inventory and sales in some 5,000 sales outlets around the world.

Privacy organizations stated the tags wouldn't be a problem if customers were notified about the new tracking labels. Some other have called for a boycott of Benetton products.

In a release, Benetton said "no microchips (smart labels) are present in more than 100 million garments produced and sold throughout the world under its brand names, including the Sisley brand" and until further studies concerning potential implications relating to individual privacy are implemented, after which it will decide whether or not to implement the smart tag technology. While they aren't going to utilize the technology at the present, they are leaving the doors open to the possibility.