It had caused panic among Hatay residents: The truth about the chips has emerged

In Hatay, chips found in bed linen sets that arrived from abroad and were distributed to disaster victims caused unease among some citizens. Residents panicked, fearing that these chips meant they were being tracked or eavesdropped on. However, authorities have clarified that the chips are RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) barcodes used in the textile industry to track product inventory.

Aid and support continue to arrive from various countries to Hatay, which suffered the most destruction in the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes. While quilts, pillows, and bed linen sets sent from abroad were being distributed to disaster victims, some citizens were surprised to find chips inside the linens. While fears spread on social media, causing panic in a short time, a reassuring statement from authorities clarified the situation.

Authorities emphasized that the chips allow for the automatic counting of objects using radio frequencies and are definitely not tracking devices. These chips, used for inventory in the textile sector, are considered a technology that enables the rapid counting of products.

Textile expert Mehmet Pehlivan said, "The bed linen sets from abroad had been delivered to neighborhood headmen (muhtars) to be distributed to earthquake victims. However, these chips caused unease among the citizens. Certain events occurring today lead people to create such narratives within themselves. These chips are small RFID devices produced by the millions, used to determine the number of textile products. As a textile professional, I know these are used for automatic counting via computer as they pass through conveyor belts. The concerns citizens have that these chips are tracking devices stem from the general anxieties of society. However, there is no issue with these chips."

News Source: İHA