Radio frequency identification (RFID) is an old technology suddenly receiving a lot of attention. There are reportedly up to one billion tags already installed worldwide, but the potential of the technology and awakening consumer privacy concerns are only now sparking some discussion concerning the concept. In this paper, we want to review the state of the art RFID (and potential future applications), the potential benefits of the technology, concerns about specific uses of the technology, and the role of government in sorting it all out. The issues are prickly. Although the technology is moving quickly, it is not yet to the point where it raises some of the biggest issues raised by opponents. On the other hand, there is no doubt that the current rate of improvement in technology is well ahead of what is being done by industry or government to create standards and conditions of use.