RFID Tags

TAGS (PER 10)	DEVICE RATING	AVAIL	COST
Standard Tags	1	-	1Y
Datachip	1	-	5Y
Security Tags	3	3	5Y
Sensor Tags	2	5	40Y
Stealth Tags	3	7R	10Y

These tiny computers (named after old-fashioned radio frequency identification tags) form an integral part of every product commercially available in the Sixth World. Ranging in size from microscopic to slightly larger than a price tag, RFID tags have a stick-to-anything adhesive backing and can be tricky to spot. Tags are used for geo-tagging locations and objects, leaving a virtual AR message for anyone who comes by, employee tracking, access control, owner-contact information for everything from vehicles to pets, vehicle and weapon registration, and so on. They can also be used as tracking devices, periodically transmitting GPS data to the Matrix.

RFID tags are devices (p. 234 CRB) that can hold one or more files, but not much else. The physical location of a tag can be found via the Matrix (Trace Icon, p. 243 CRB). Tag data can be erased with a tag eraser (p. 441 CRB) or programmed with an Edit File action (p. 239 CRB). RFID tags have owners like all other devices, but unlike other devices a tag’s owner can be changed to “nobody.”

Datachip: For occasions when you want to transfer data by physical means—like bringing the project specs on the competition’s new cyberdeck to Mr. Johnson in person at the meet—a datachip can hold enormous quantitites of data in a small finger-sized chip, accessible by any electronic device. Datachips have no wireless capability, so you need to plug them into a universal data connector (found on any device) if you want to read or write to them.

Security tags: Security-conscious megacorps often implant these security tags in their sararimen and valued citizens, either to monitor employee workplace productivity, grant and deny clearance and security access, or track employees in the case of abduction or extraction (or escape). These same tags are used on incarcerated and paroled criminals, and parents and schools also use them to track students. Security tags cannot be erased with a tag eraser due to EMP hardening. If a tag is implanted under the skin, an Extended Medicine + Logic [Mental] (10, 1 minute) Test is needed to remove it.

Sensor tags: A sensor RFID tag can be equipped with a single sensor (sold separately) of up to Rating 2 (Sensors, p. 445 CRB). It then records everything it can, to a maximum of 24 hours of time, at which point you can program it to either shut off or overwrite data older than 24 hours. Sensor tags are often used for diagnostic purposes in various devices, including cyberware.
Wireless: You can monitor the data in real time, if you’re the tag’s owner. The tag still records the last 24 hours for you.

Stealth tags: A stealth tag always runs silent (p. 235 CRB) and has a Sleaze rating equal to its Device Rating. It’s disguised to not look like RFID tags, which gives it an additional –2 Concealability modifier. Stealth tags are often used as a backup for security tags by megacorps that are security conscious (and sneaky). They can be implanted the same way security tags can.