Technology
Swedes Are Implanting Microchips Into Their Hands Claiming It Makes Life Easier
In your opinion, risky or appropriate?
People in Sweden are no longer carrying their keys around. Instead, they now have a microchip in hand that automatically replaces different key cards, travel cards, bank cards, and electronic wallets. The microchip implant also replaces house keys and even helps in auto-filling log-in-pages on designated websites. All that’s required is to get close enough to the house, or perhaps a laptop and the chip, which is embedded with a radio frequency identification technology – RFID, will do the rest.
People in Sweden now have microchips in hand that replaces keys, travel cards, bank cards, and electronic wallets
This tiny chip-body modification is gradually gaining popularity even though it’s been in existence for at least 15 years. Holding the key to numerous aspects of life, the chip inserted between the thumb and index finger promises to make life easier. It equally helps store emergency contact details and social media profiles. As of last year, only a hundred people reportedly had the chip, but fast forward to 2021; the number has risen to over 4000 people and still counting.
Holding the key to numerous aspects of life, the chip is embedded with a radio frequency identification technology – RFID
Small as a rice grain (the chip), the price, including the procedure, stands at $180. Interestingly, a few companies, including Three Square Market, a Wisconsin-based company, are beginning to offer their employees these services. While it doesn’t have a GPS tracker, information on the chip can’t, however, be easily stolen by criminals unless they somehow get a wearer’s hand.
How The Implanted Microchips Looks In An X-ray
Scientists believe that this device will open doors for the people from Sweden to the new digital era. It’s regarded as convenient, but then it’s been criticized by some people who argued there’s no guarantee that personal information contained in the chips will be confidential. As with all technology, there seem to be pros and cons sides to having the implanted microchips.
Only a hundred people had the chip in 2020, but presently the number has risen to over 4000 people
The positive includes; An easier way to identify people, increased security for numerous facilities, reduced loss of items, perfect for patients with dementia, cost-effective and safe, no carrying around of bunch of keys, cards, and other things. Accordingly, the negative is that none of the implanted microchips have location tracking capabilities; hence, a wearer can be vulnerable to hacking. Besides, what happens if an upgraded version is launched? Will present wearers take out the old one and implant a new one?
Small as a rice grain (the chip), the price, including the procedure, stands at $180
The mentioned above questions and more hinged on the chip are emerging, and a few people believe that the chips will sooner or later have GPS trackers in them. Nonetheless, the implanted microchips aren’t generally accepted in the United States as lawmakers of some states have dubbed it illegal while drafting out legislation. That being said, Sweden is nearing a complete modernization with sights set on artificial intelligence in making life efficient, equitable, and convenient for its citizens. On the other hand, would you like to have the chip or what’s your opinion?
Watch The Video Of How Swedish Swap Paper Tickets With Microchips
References:
- “TRUE: “MICROCHIPS ARE GETTING UNDER THE SKIN OF THOUSANDS IN SWEDEN” EU Fact Check. May 23, 2020.
- “People Are Getting Microchipped in Sweden, and It’s Pretty Normal.” VICE. Stacey Naggiar. March 5, 2020.
- “The rise of microchipping: are we ready for technology to get under the skin?” The Guardian. Oscar Schwartz. November 8, 2019.
- “Thousands Of Swedes Are Inserting Microchips Under Their Skin.” NPR. Maddy Savage. October 22, 2018.
- “The Pros and Cons of Inserting a Smart Microchip Into Your Own Body.” VICE. Richard Wordsworth, Kevin Warwick. March 7, 2015.
