Will Big Brother be watching You?

From The Financial Times:

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.

However, the Ohio company defends the practice, saying:

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.

I don't know... I'm not necessarily a "black helicopter" type of guy... but just the same, this seems scary to me.

Time was, not so long ago, a guy could "get lost" just by jumping into his car and taking a ride. No cell phones, no blackberrys. People couldn't get ahold of you? No big deal. It was expected.

The world is getting smaller and smaller. And places where you can "just get away from it all" are getting fewer and further between.

(Filed under miscellany)