From the yearly archives:

2004

Relax, Don’t Do It: Why RFID Privacy Concerns Are Exaggerated and Legislation Is Premature

by Jerry Brito on December 1, 2004 • View Comments

The recent push to replace UPC barcodes on all consumer goods with RFID tags has resulted in a backlash by privacy activists. Before we regulate, we should first confirm that privacy fears are not baseless and will not be constrained by market forces.

The Opportunity Cost of Unbundled Network Element Regulation

by James Nicholas Taylor and Jerry Ellig on November 19, 2004 • View Comments

Federal Communications Commission regulations require that incumbent local telephone companies must lease to competitors the entire platform of network elements necessary to provide local phone service. This paper assesses the effects of the platform requirement on economic welfare by examining the efficiency with which it transfers income from incumbent telephone companies to consumers.