An Ohio company has embedded silicon chips in two of its employees - the first known case in which US workers have been “tagged” electronically as a way of identifying them.

CityWatcher.com, a private video surveillance company, said it was testing the technology as a way of controlling access to a room where it holds security video footage for government agencies and the police.

VeriChip – the US company that made the devices and claims to have the only chips that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration – said the implants were designed primarily for medical purposes.

So far around 70 people in the US have had the implants, the company said.

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I don't care how beneficial it is, or how necessary it may become decades from now, I will convert to being a freaking Luddite before I knowingly allow any kind of electronic chip to be implanted into my body.

I am a firm believer in that sci-fi novelists are by and large the best prophets one can find - take a look at Technovelgy.com if you need some proof (they often get articles from here, btw).

Implanted chips to increase functionality: Open Doors, Start Cars etc. I have no problem with. Chips to track in.out of secure areas .. They already have that, only on the outside. Cybernetic implants fine with me.

But tracking.tagging implants? If I agree fine. but If "they" forced me or try to coerce me (ie submit to tagging so we can track your at work hours or be fired) then they better have good security and bomb sniffing dogs.

(Waits as my post is processed by ECHELON)

Jacobs

We have already given up much privacy in the name of convenience, safety, security and a host of other “positive” reasons. Cell phone computers not only can record your conversations but your movements and as each new generation of cell gets “better” your location and activities are known more exactly. Have you ever had a call from your credit card company asking if you recently had traveled to another city? I have, well before the cell phone. Each generation seems to give up an incremental amount of freedom and with time that becomes “normal” so that the next generation does the same in an ever decreasing level of personal freedom.

Identity theft is becoming a major problem and I believe that we will have some kind of national ID system. Eventually it will not be a social security number on a card in your wallet, but some kind of tag possibly inserted at birth (check out “Logan’s Run” or “Gataca”). Even the coming RFID system designed to replace the UPC and offering many benefits might end up allowing the generation of a profile that is likely to be you even if it does not positively ID you. A person who deactivates or takes out all their tags may be as noticeable and suspect as one who does not. Yes, I too believe science fiction writers to be visionary. I am afraid that the old curse “May you live in interesting times” has come true for us.

For the sake of security, let us require that our senators, representatives,
and presidents, vice presidents and all their staff be implanted with them.

Dan, I don't think you realise the scope of this situation.

I would suggest you visit The Verichip Information and Awareness forum (NOIDCHIP) here to learn more -

http://www.noidchip.free-forums.org

One of our members have already posted a link back here in The Links and Resources section


As a taster...

The Verichip is set to be the future replacement of The Mandatory ID Biometric Cards that are now being brought into force by world governments including The US and UK

These cards contain a chip that stores data and all information will be stored and scrutinized on a central database.

The verichip not only has tracking abilities but also the capability of an independent (internal) power source, see thermolife.

The verichip has already been implanted in over 2000 people worldwide including healthcare patients, security workers, night clubbers and government workers.

For anyone who values freedom and civil liberties, this is a technology to be shunned, rather than embraced.

Regards

Tony
NOIDCHIP