Posted on 02/12/2006 4:28:09 PM PST by wagglebee
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.
Embedding slivers of silicon in workers is likely to add to the controversy over RFID technology, widely seen as one of the next big growth industries.
RFID chips – inexpensive radio transmitters that give off a unique identifying signal – have been implanted in pets or attached to goods so they can be tracked in transit.
“There are very serious privacy and civil liberty issues of having people permanently numbered,” said Liz McIntyre, who campaigns against the use of identification technology.
But Sean Darks, chief executive of CityWatcher, said the glass-encased chips were like identity cards. They are planted in the upper right arm of the recipient, and “read” by a device similar to a cardreader.
“There’s nothing pulsing or sending out a signal,” said Mr Darks, who has had a chip in his own arm. “It’s not a GPS chip. My wife can’t tell where I am.”
The technology’s defenders say it is acceptable as long as it is not compulsory. But critics say any implanted device could be used to track the “wearer” without their knowledge.
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.
>>>Do you approve of gun registration...?
NO. But guns can't carry out terrorist acts, or molest children, or sell crack, or bribe public officials...
Well if it is for national security to prevent information to be in hands of the communists, maybe this is tolerable.
>>>So yes, it is available to foreigners.
Then I have a creative solution: change the law before implementing the technology, so that only the (for example) NSA has access.
Solution?
How would an electronic chip affect any of these ?
You evidently didn't read the whole thread. I'll try to type slowly.
The technology has been developed by private companies, and they retain sole ownership of the chips and technology, sharing the information with "authorized" (by the owners) entities. This includes the government IF the govvie PAYS for the info.
Sun SELLS computers to the gov's, but also LEASES them. Sun retains ownership, and gets the 'puters back, often with sensitive data still on the hard drives.
As to changing the law, you've never heard of Prohibition, huh?
The day it becomes mandatory ( or 'mandatory compliance' ) is the day I am either dead, or hunting seals in the arctic.
Then I have a creative solution: change the law before implementing the technology, so that only the (for example) NSA has access.
Solution?
My thoughts exactly. Except the mark or else starve, face internment or simply be exterminated.
The Pedestrian...
Be serious - this is the old slippery slope argument (which can be applied to ANY argument, that's why it's the always the logic pulled out when all others fail). We (the people) can say, through our elected representatives, WHAT will be on the chips, and for WHAT purpose it will be used. Just like we say under what circumstances the gov right now may obtain a warrant to search my house, or arrest me, or any number of other powers upon which we impose LIMITS.
THAT is the end of the conversation.
Very well said. Much clearer than my answers. Thank you.
Then I guess that makes me a "bad person" because I'm not taking your chip.
I am not property of the state.
Hey, country boys can survive.
A pace-maker wouldn't be forbidden. It's a medical device that helps the body.
There's the additional bit. This stuff is to be done by proxy ( think of the partnerships between governments and private industry in fascist countries ). Don't think for a moment that this won't be used by governments ( think yahoo and China ).
Is it your position that these limits are never violated ?
>>>>Then you will not be allowed to work, travel, open a bank account or credit cards, no home ownership or even rent, no social security or retirement check, no medical insurance, you won't even be allowed to purchase food....Did I leave out anything?
Oh yeah, it will be a crime not to have an implant.
Right now, I can't have a job without paying taxes, or travel outside the US without a passport, or drive a car without a license, registration, insurance, or own a house without filing at the registry of deeds, or build a building without being inspected...
It's just a matter of degree.
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