Implanting microchips in humans is a move meant to make people's lives more convenient at work. A company in Wisconsin is the first in the country to microchip its employees but will companies here in Southwest Florida follow suit?
The chip is the size of a grain of rice and it is embedded between the thumb and pointer finger. Fifty employees voluntarily received microchip implants at Three Square Markets in Wisconsin. The microchips are used to log onto computers and buy snacks with just a wave of their hand. Employees also have access into the building without a key card.
Four In Your Corner reached out to several big companies in the area - Hertz, Arthrex, Gartner, and Chico's to ask if they plan on offering their employees the option anytime soon.
A spokesperson with Gartner didn't have anyone available to answer our question on the topic. Representatives with Chico's and Arthrex have not responded. Hertz quickly said they are not planning on introducing the idea anytime soon.
"I think it's interesting but I'm not surprised," Security Expert, Robert Roloff with Team Logic IT said. "This chip is the equivalent to a barcode but if you do research for RF-ID hacks online you will find it."
The Wisconsin company has reportedly said the device is FDA approved and is encrypted but experts say if it's programmable, it's still hackable.
Roloff says employers are the ones that are the most vulnerable to hacking not employees.
"If the chip is hacked, hackers could potentially have access to the company as if it were you," he said.
Roloff also says these chips are trackable but it could only be tracked within a foot or two.
Employees in Wisconsin who may not be comfortable with a chip in their bodies reportedly have the option of the same technology placed in a wristband or ring.
Would you want your employer to offer the option to get a microchip implant under your skin? Call or Text 206-FOX4 or e-mail us at news@fox4now.com with your response.
