One early example of this is the increasing use of Radio Frequency Identification Devices or RFID chips to communicate information. They are an item tagging device no bigger than a grain of rice and can be embedded into an object such as person without any physical deformation at all. This device then contains a microchip that has an Electronic Product Code or EPC, which is just like a barcode on an item in a shop. These devices are self powered and can be read by a scanner 20-30 ft away simply by transmitting a radio signal. The EPC is then transmitted back and can be used to access various information on databases about the object or individual in question. They are at the moment used vastly in supermarkets such as Wal-Mart to protect products and on pets such as cats and dogs to identify the animal’s home and registered owner. But just recently now they have shown to show there worth in pets, are starting to become key information products in both the business and political world.