They do have data on the number of missing tags though - i suppose that's quite significant in the lost bag category, but still slim in the overall checked population.
The barcodes are nothing new, but they present a challenge for flexible luggage - either make them stick hard and be difficult to remove or they tear out easily when the luggage bends.
Anyway, I did have a tag missing at least once. Don't mind it though, have pretty good travel insurance in that case.