Getting Chipped: To Ban or Not to Ban

Human Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) implants are currently being marketed as a way to limit access to secure areas or as anti-kidnapping devices, as well as means to track and quickly identify in emergency situations individuals with serious medical conditions or mental disabilities or to serve as cashless payment devices with a wave of the hand. While in certain instances, such as in some medical applications, this technology can have positive and benign effects there are also serious privacy implications. Although at present, technological and financial challenges prevent the wide take-up of these highly controversial devices, privacy advocates fear the technology might be abused by governments and big corporations and used to constantly locate and profile people. A detailed critique of the complex privacy, security, ethical and health implications in the light of this emerging technology is still lacking and this article attempts to contribute to this process.