Impantable RFID - Implausible ? ... already at work protecting you ?

The VeriChip™ passive RFID device is the core VeriChip applications. About the size of a grain of rice, each VeriChip™ contains a unique verification number, which can be used to access a Subscriber-supplied database providing specific information. The chip itself contains no other data than this unique electronic numeric ID. Unlike conventional forms of identification, VeriChip™ cannot be lost, stolen, misplaced, or counterfeited.

Once inserted just under the skin, via a quick, painless (?) outpatient procedure (much like getting a shot see pic from NYT), the VeriChip™ can be scanned when necessary with a proprietary VeriChip reader. A small amount of radio frequency energy passes from the reader energizing the dormant VeriChip™, which then emits a radio frequency signal transmitting the individuals unique verification (VeriChipID) number. The VeriChip Subscriber Number then provides instant access to the Global VeriChip Subscriber (GVS) Registry - through secure, password protected Web access to subscriber-supplied information.




Far fetched ? Well An Ohio based compamy CityWatcher.com, a private video surveillance company, is testing the technology as a way of controlling access to a room where it holds security video footage for government agencies and the police.

Sean Darks, CEO 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,” Mr Darks told the FT. He told them he had a chip in his own arm. “It’s not a GPS chip. My wife can’t tell where I am.”

So far VeriChip claims that around 70 people in the US have had the veriChip implants implants.

RFID implant technology isn't new. The Mexican government has already been using the technology for some employees in the Ministry of Justice so they can pass through security. The Baja Beach night club in Barcelona offers the chip to its VIP's which was reported the BBC last year.

This site (Night Also Cometh) has a lot (some of it implausible) information about claimed sinister usage of such technology - it's worth a look even if only to see that it is claimed the Gloria Steinem and Ms magazine acted for and was funded by the CIA.

Why bother with an ID card ? ... and you could tracked by a satellite ...easy peasy.


Postscript : The Vancouver Sun Jan 7th has a story about Amal Graafstra and his girlfriend Jennifer Tomblin who have implanted RFID tags in their hands and using a reader made by a University of Calgary spin-off, Phidgets Inc., (which sells the reader for $65 Cdn.)was able to set up the opening of house locks and log onto his PC

Even more bizarre is an online group, the "Tagged" RFID group
where members share their implant stories and photos and vigorously debate the merits and risks of putting computer chips under their skin.