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US group implants electronic tags in workers
Financial Times ^ | 2/12/06 | Richard Waters

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.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: artbell; bigbrother; bravenewworld; chipimplants; chippendales; chipperdoo; chips; cowchips; cwii; electronicmonitoring; idchips; idimplants; pokerchips; potatochips; rfid; tagging; woodchips
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To: forrestroche
In case you aren't familiar with Ray Bradbury, he wrote an interesting short story that provides some food for thought:
The Pedestrian
I leave you with this. I think our conversation on the matter is finished.
121 posted on 02/12/2006 7:18:55 PM PST by Tench_Coxe
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To: gatex

>>>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...


122 posted on 02/12/2006 7:19:03 PM PST by forrestroche (But ignorance, while it checks the enthusiasm of the sensible, in no way restrains the fools...)
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To: wagglebee

Well if it is for national security to prevent information to be in hands of the communists, maybe this is tolerable.


123 posted on 02/12/2006 7:20:13 PM PST by Wiz (News hyaena providing you news with spice of acid)
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To: TXBSAFH
There is no way I would ever let this be done to me.

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.
.
124 posted on 02/12/2006 7:21:30 PM PST by mugs99 (Don't take life too seriously, you won't get out alive.)
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To: Calpernia

>>>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?


125 posted on 02/12/2006 7:21:31 PM PST by forrestroche (But ignorance, while it checks the enthusiasm of the sensible, in no way restrains the fools...)
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To: inquest; forrestroche; Tench_Coxe
"That's right, bad people will never get the chip implanted under false pretenses, just like they never obtain fake passports or other ID."

...agreed! The largest group of television viewers will also agree after they digest a few hundred more television police/lawyer shows promoting the devices. Then our politicians will pass the laws for them. Start with "sex offenders," and move on to all who owe debts, commit traffic infractions (changed to felonies to give infallible judges more needed discretion) and the like.

Those who don't like it could repeal the 19th. [Little humor there.]
126 posted on 02/12/2006 7:22:19 PM PST by familyop (Either you are with us, or you are willing to live under Muslim law.)
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To: forrestroche
" But guns can't carry out terrorist acts, or molest children, or sell crack, or bribe public officials"

How would an electronic chip affect any of these ?

127 posted on 02/12/2006 7:23:14 PM PST by gatex (NRA, JPFO and Gun Owners of America)
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To: forrestroche

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?


128 posted on 02/12/2006 7:23:40 PM PST by Don W (Stress is when you wake up screaming, and then you realize you haven't fallen asleep yet.)
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To: Kimmers
I do not like this either..... I really cannot believe someone would actually agree to do this.....there must have been a financial incentive

If they work out the spoofing/duplicating problems, don't be surprised if it rears its ugly head in one of the federal agencies (including the military).

I know people who would push for this.
129 posted on 02/12/2006 7:25:39 PM PST by af_vet_rr
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To: familyop

The day it becomes mandatory ( or 'mandatory compliance' ) is the day I am either dead, or hunting seals in the arctic.


130 posted on 02/12/2006 7:26:10 PM PST by Tench_Coxe
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To: forrestroche

Then I have a creative solution: change the law before implementing the technology, so that only the (for example) NSA has access.

Solution?




Not for the current way it is being implemented. The database is still the Global Database that comes with the Verichip subscription.

And when being implemented through the NGO focus funding, the CFRs still give ownership to the Grantor.


131 posted on 02/12/2006 7:26:47 PM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: Tench_Coxe

My thoughts exactly. Except the mark or else starve, face internment or simply be exterminated.


132 posted on 02/12/2006 7:27:33 PM PST by Lancer_N3502A
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To: Tench_Coxe

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.


133 posted on 02/12/2006 7:27:41 PM PST by forrestroche (But ignorance, while it checks the enthusiasm of the sensible, in no way restrains the fools...)
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To: Don W

Very well said. Much clearer than my answers. Thank you.


134 posted on 02/12/2006 7:28:20 PM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: forrestroche
Law-abiding US Citizens have chip. Illegals and terrorists don't. Police scan. Chip = good person. No chip = bad person.

Then I guess that makes me a "bad person" because I'm not taking your chip.

I am not property of the state.

135 posted on 02/12/2006 7:29:34 PM PST by Mulder (“The spirit of resistance is so valuable, that I wish it to be always kept alive" Thomas Jefferson)
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To: mugs99

Hey, country boys can survive.


136 posted on 02/12/2006 7:29:41 PM PST by Lancer_N3502A
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To: forrestroche
"How about a pace-maker? :}"

A pace-maker wouldn't be forbidden. It's a medical device that helps the body.

137 posted on 02/12/2006 7:30:18 PM PST by DannyTN
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To: Don W

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 ).


138 posted on 02/12/2006 7:30:21 PM PST by Tench_Coxe
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To: forrestroche
"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. "

Is it your position that these limits are never violated ?

139 posted on 02/12/2006 7:32:51 PM PST by gatex (NRA, JPFO and Gun Owners of America)
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To: mugs99

>>>>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.


140 posted on 02/12/2006 7:33:07 PM PST by forrestroche (But ignorance, while it checks the enthusiasm of the sensible, in no way restrains the fools...)
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