Monday, June 12, 2006

VeriChip Inserts Itself Into Immigration Debate

Filed under: Society

VeriChip is investigating a plan to implant guest workers with subcutaenous RFID chips. Because, you know, that's what gracious hosts do... Since their medical-record branding scheme is treading water, we guess VeriChip figured they could get some publicity from the undocumented immigrant debate, offering this almost completely unrelated service to the government:

"We are exploring a guest worker application we believe is appropriate to help the U.S. with its current immigration crisis. VeriChip is currently being used as a medical application, cleared by the FDA as a class II medical device," said Scott Silverman. "First and foremost, a VeriChip is not a locating device. VeriChip technology has no GPS capabilities whatsoever. It is simply a voluntary passive identification device that is only "awakened" by a proprietary scanner within a very short range of a few inches."

Using VeriChip's secure implantable RFID technology, the Department of Homeland Security can ensure that a secure, tamper-proof system is in place to identify, register and confirm guest worker credentials at the border or at an employer's premises. VeriChip already employs the same technology to provide secure access to medical records and to secure areas of buildings such as hospitals or office buildings. Medical records access may prove relevant in immigration applications as well. In addition to border security, this device can provide medical records of guest workers that may be unable to communicate (currently a strain on our medical system)...

"It's really no different than a tamperproof passport you can carry all the time," says Silverman. "As concerns mount about falsified documents, VeriChip technology ensures security and privacy for the individual as well as increased security at our borders."

Wikipedia has an even-handed article on VeriChip's technology, including its less than "tamperproof" security...

Maybe VeriChip will bring about the apocalypse...

More from Verichip...

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