British companies are looking at potential ways of tracking employees with the use of embedded Microchips in their skin, according to latest reports.
Using embedded microchips to stop employees entering restricted areas, to help them buy food in canteens and to carry out everyday tasks such as accessing printers in the office are all part of the proposal from Swedish tech firm Biohax.
Biohax founder Jowan Österlund told The Sunday Telegraph that its technology is based on injecting a microchip the size of a grain of rice under the skin.
Österlund said: “These companies have sensitive documents they are dealing with. The chips would allow them to set restrictions for whomever.”
Tagging workers like dogs?
Unsurprisingly, the tabloid press are already up in arms about the idea, with The Mirror claiming that Biohax: “has said it is in talks with a number of UK firms to tag their workers like they are dogs.”
The small tracking devices are implanted in-between the thumb and forefinger, which is where people are drawing similarities with dog tagging technology.
The CBI, which represents 190,000 UK businesses, was immediately alarmed by the potential of this type of e-tagging tech to be misused.
A CBI spokesperson said: “While technology is changing the way we work, this makes for distinctly uncomfortable reading. Firms should be concentrating on rather more immediate priorities and focusing on engaging their employees.”
Similarly, the UK’s major trade union, the TUC is equally concerned that staff could be coerced into being microchipped.
TUC secretary, Frances O’Gradysaid: “We know workers are already concerned that some employers are using tech to control and micromanage, whittling away their staff’s right to privacy.
“Microchipping would give bosses even more power and control over their workers. There are obvious risks involved, and employers must not brush them aside, or pressure staff into being chipped.”
Biohax plans to open a London office in the near future, according to its website.
Via The Mirror and The Sunday Telegraph and The Guardian
Newsletter sign up
