How do you get into your office or work space? Do you still use keys? Or maybe you use a code? But in Sweden, they’re using microchips. They implant these microchips in your hand, near your thumb. Sweden’s Microchip: Tech Trend or Big Brother?
So the company leading the microchip charge is Epicenter. Their headquarters are in Stockholm, Sweden’s capital and largest city. Sometime ago, Epicenter offered the microchip. It’s the size of a grain of rice. Also, it can open doors, control printers, and even order food. All you have to do is wave your hand. Furthermore, Epicenter CEO?Patrick Mesterton praises the microchip. He loves the convenience of the implant.
So do the people. Sweden’s microchip is so popular Epicenter throws parties around it. These parties entertain the people as they wait for their implant. ?It uses NFC’s (near field communication) technology. It reads data from a couple of inches away. They also contain info about other devices, and other people. But the implants can’t read information on their own. However, this brings up biological and ethical concerns. Somebody asked about a chip being in somebody’s body. But Mesterson practically compared it to the heart’s pacemaker.
But what about the privacy and ethical issues? Sweden’s microchip, and any microchip, can follow you wherever you go. You put the chip in your hand. Your employer and colleges can track you 24/7, whether you’re on the clock or not. That is scary. Plus, they inject this in your body! Don’t forget that part. Now microchip technology is nothing new. They put it in dogs to track them, for fear of getting lost. You can put them in your kid’s shoes. This is in the name of finding them, and to ‘make sure they’re doing the right thing’. Hence, there’s even talk of using the microchip to track down a potential cheating spouse/significant other. There’s IT support and there’s outright tracking. There are laptops fixed and then there are fixing laptops to follow you. So I ask you. Sweden’s Microchip: tech trend or big brother?