Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%
Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.
<b>Online Exclusive:</b> Microchip Maker Lobbies to Implant RFID Tags on U.S. Troops
A future in which RFID chips are embedded in people may not be too far away, if VeriChip's proposal now under consideration by the U.S. Department of Defense is approved. That, at least, is the assessment of The Examiner newspaper, a Washington, DC, publication that reports on political developments.
The Examiner reported that VeriChip has proposed that members of the U.S. military be outfitted with radio-frequency identifier ('RFID') tag implants under their skin. The RFID tags would contain medical and personal information. Former Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, a Bush administration appointee, is a member of VeriChip's board of directors, and he is apparently leading the lobbying.
VeriChip sees a multiplicity of uses for its chips ' many of which raise concerns about individual privacy. Chairman Scott Silverman proposed in June that undocumented laborers could be implanted with RFID chips as part of President Bush's 'guest worker' plan.
Privacy advocates are appalled at all of the RFID implant proposals, calling them unprecedented personal intrusions. Among the many flaws, they believe that RFID chips today are not secure against data theft. In a well-publicized demonstration at a computer conference in July, journalist Annalee Newitz showed that data on a chip embedded in her arm could easily be obtained by an RFID reading device.
At the moment, Congress is not considering any type of bill that would allow or prohibit implants. But Wisconsin passed a law this year that bans implanting microchips in humans.
A future in which RFID chips are embedded in people may not be too far away, if VeriChip's proposal now under consideration by the U.S. Department of Defense is approved. That, at least, is the assessment of The Examiner newspaper, a Washington, DC, publication that reports on political developments.
The Examiner reported that VeriChip has proposed that members of the U.S. military be outfitted with radio-frequency identifier ('RFID') tag implants under their skin. The RFID tags would contain medical and personal information. Former Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, a Bush administration appointee, is a member of VeriChip's board of directors, and he is apparently leading the lobbying.
VeriChip sees a multiplicity of uses for its chips ' many of which raise concerns about individual privacy. Chairman Scott Silverman proposed in June that undocumented laborers could be implanted with RFID chips as part of President Bush's 'guest worker' plan.
Privacy advocates are appalled at all of the RFID implant proposals, calling them unprecedented personal intrusions. Among the many flaws, they believe that RFID chips today are not secure against data theft. In a well-publicized demonstration at a computer conference in July, journalist Annalee Newitz showed that data on a chip embedded in her arm could easily be obtained by an RFID reading device.
At the moment, Congress is not considering any type of bill that would allow or prohibit implants. But Wisconsin passed a law this year that bans implanting microchips in humans.
The Article 8 Opt In
The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.
Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws
This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.
Warehouse Liability: Know Before You Stow!
As consumers continue to shift purchasing and consumption habits in the aftermath of the pandemic, manufacturers are increasingly reliant on third-party logistics and warehousing to ensure their products timely reach the market.
Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin
With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.
Legal Possession: What Does It Mean?
Possession of real property is a matter of physical fact. Having the right or legal entitlement to possession is not "possession," possession is "the fact of having or holding property in one's power." That power means having physical dominion and control over the property.