Plans to microchip UK workers kick privacy concerns
The prospect of UK companies implants their staff with microchips in order to improve security and efficiency has raised concerns among trade unions.
Several legal and financial companies in the UK are reportedly in discussions with a company responsible for fitting thousands of people with chips in Scandinavia.
The chips, which are about the size of a grain of rice, are usually implanted beneath the skin between the thumb and forefinger and use radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to allow people to replace physical key cards, IDs and even train tickets.
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Designed by Pierpaolo Lazzarini from Italian company Jet Capsule. The I.F.O.
Jet Capsule / Cover Images
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A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX / Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore
Getty Images
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A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX / Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore
Getty Images
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Engineers test a four-meter-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea [19659010] Jung Yeon-Je / AFP / Getty Images
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Engineers test a four-meter-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea
Jung Yeon-Je / AFP / Getty Images
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The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its makers from a South Korean robotic company
Jung Yeon-Je / AFP / Getty Images
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Engineers test a four -metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea
Jung Yeon-Je / AFP / Getty Images
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Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by Professor Atsuo Takanishi
Rex
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Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by Professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session
Rex
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A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
Reuters
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A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China [1
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A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China
Reuters
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A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China
Reuters
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A man looks at an exhibition entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot that has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London
Getty
16/43 [19659009] A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International Conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv
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Electrification Guru Dr. Wolfgang Ziebart talk about the electric Jaguar I-PACE concept SUV before it was unveiled before the Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, California, US
Reuters
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The Jaguar I-PACE Concept car is the start of a new era for Jaguar. This is a production preview of the Jaguar I-PACE, which will be revealed next year and on the road in 2018
AP
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Japan's On-Art Corp's CEO Kazuya Kanemaru poses with his company's eight meter tall dinosaur-shaped mechanical suit robot 'TRX03' and other robots during a demonstration in Tokyo, Japan
Reuters
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Japan's On-Art Corp's eight-meter tall dinosaur-shaped mechanical suit robot 'TRX03
Reuters
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Japan's On-Art Corp's eight-meter tall dinosaur-shaped mechanical suit robot 'TRX03' performs during its unveiling in Tokyo, Japan
Reuters
22/43 [19659009] Singulato Motors co-founder and CEO Shen Haiyin poses in his company's concept car Tigercar P0 at a workshop in Beijing, China
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The interior of Singulato Motors' concept car Tigercar P0 at a workshop in Beijing, China
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Singulato Motors' concept car Ti Gercar P0
Reuters
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A picture shows Singulato Motors' concept car Tigercar P0 at a workshop in Beijing, China
Reuters
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Connected company president Shigeki Tomoyama addresses a press briefing as he elaborates on Toyota's "connected strategy" in Tokyo.
The Connected Company is a part of seven Toyota in-house companies that were created in April 2016
Getty
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A Toyota Motors employee demonstrates a smartphone app with the company's pocket plug-in hybrid (PHV ) service on the cockpit of the latest Prius hybrid vehicle during Toyota's "connected strategy" press briefing in Tokyo
Getty
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An exhibitor charges the battery cells of AnyWalker, an ultra-mobile chasis robot which is able to move in any kind of environment during Singapore International Robo Expo
Getty
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A robot with a touch screen information apps stroll down the pavilion at the Singapore International Robo Expo
Getty
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An exhibitor demonstrates the AnyWalker, an ultra-mobile chasis robot that is able to move in any kind of environment during Singapore International Robo Expo
Getty
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Robotic fishes swim in a water glass tank d isplayed at the Korea Pavilion during Singapore International Robo Expo
Getty
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An employee shows a Samsung Electronics' Gear S3 Classic during Korea Electronics Show 2016 in Seoul, South Korea
Reuters
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Visitors experience Samsung Electronics' Gear VR during the Korea Electronics Grand Fair at an exhibition hall in Seoul, South Korea
Getty
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Amy Rimmer, Research Engineer at Jaguar Land Rover , demonstrates the car manufacturer's Advanced Highway Assist in a Range Rover, which drives the vehicle, overtakes and can detect vehicles in the blind spot, during the first demonstration of the UK Autodrive Project at HORIBA MIRA Proving Ground in Nuneaton, Warwickshire
PA wire
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Chris Burbridge, Autonomous Driving Software Engineer for Tata Motors European Technical Center, demonstrates the car manufacturer's GLOSA V2X functionality, which is connected to the traffic ligh ts and shares information with the driver, during the first demonstration of the UK Autodrive Project at HORIBA MIRA Proving Ground in Nuneaton, Warwickshire
PA wire
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Ford EEBL Emergency Electronic Brake Lights is demonstrated during the first demonstration of the UK Autodrive Project at HORIBA MIRA Proving Ground in Nuneaton, Warwickshire
PA
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Full-scale model or 'Kibo' on display at the Space Dome exhibition hall of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Tsukuba Space Center, Tsukuba, north-east of Tokyo, Japan
EPA
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Miniatures on display at the Space Dome exhibition hall of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Tsukuba Space Center, in Tsukuba, north-east of Tokyo, Japan.
In its facilities, JAXA develop satellites and analyze their observation data, train astronauts for utilization in the Japanese Experiment Module 'Kibo' of the International Space Station (ISS) and develop launch vehicles
EPA
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The robot developed by Seed Solutions sings and dances to the music during the Japan Robot Week 2016 at Tokyo Big Sight. At this biennial event, the participating companies exhibit their latest service robotic technologies and components
Getty
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The robot developed by Seed Solutions sings and dances to music during the Japan Robot Week 2016 at Tokyo Big Sight
Getty
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Government and industry are working together on a robot-like autopilot system that could eliminate the need for a second human pilot in the cockpit
AP
42/43 [19659009] Aurora Flight Sciences' technicians work on an Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automantion System (ALIAS) device in the company's Centaur aircraft at Manassas Airport in Manassas, Va.
AP
43/43 Flight Simulator
Stefan Schwart and Udo Klingenberg preparing a self-built flight simulator to land at Hong Kong airport, from Rostock, Germany
EPA
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Designed by Pierpaolo Lazzarini from the Italian company Jet Capsule. The I.F.O.
Jet Capsule / Cover Images
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A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX / Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore
Getty Images
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A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX / Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore
Getty Images
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Engineers test a four-meter-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea [19659010] Jung Yeon-Je / AFP / Getty Images
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Engineers test a four-meter-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea
Jung Yeon-Je / AFP / Getty Images
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The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its makers from a South Korean robotic company
Jung Yeon-Je / AFP / Getty Images
7/43
Engineers test a four -metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea
Jung Yeon-Je / AFP / Getty Images
8/43
Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by Professor Atsuo Takanishi
Rex
9/43
Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by Professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session
Rex
10/43
A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
Reuters
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A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China [1 9659010] Reuters
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A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China
Rex
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A Mirai fuel cell vehicle city Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China
Reuters
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A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China
Reuters
15 / 43
A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot that has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the New Design Museum in South Kensington, London
Getty
16/43 [19659009] A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International Conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli Coastal City of Tel Aviv
Getty
17/43
Electrification Guru Dr. Wolfgang Ziebart talk about the electric Jaguar I-PACE concept SUV before it was unveiled before the Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, California, US
Reuters
18/43
The Jaguar I-PACE Concept car is the start of a new era for Jaguar. This is a production preview of the Jaguar I-PACE, which will be revealed next year and on the road in 2018
AP
19/43
Japan's On-Art Corp's CEO Kazuya Kanemaru poses with his company's eight meter tall dinosaur-shaped mechanical suit robot 'TRX03' and other robots during a demonstration in Tokyo, Japan
Reuters
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Japan's On-Art Corp's eight-meter tall dinosaur-shaped mechanical suit robot 'TRX03 '19659010] Reuters
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Japan's On-Art Corp's eight-meter tall dinosaur-shaped mechanical suit robot' TRX03 'performs during its unveiling in Tokyo, Japan
Reuters
22/43 [19659009] Singulato Motors co-founder and CEO Shen Haiyin poses in his company's concept car Tigercar P0 at a workshop in Beijing, China
Reuters
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The interior of Singulato Motors' concept car Tigercar P0 at a workshop in Beijing, China
Reuters
24/43
Singulato Motors' concept car Ti Gercar P0
Reuters
25/43
A picture shows Singulato Motors' concept car Tigercar P0 at a workshop in Beijing, China
Reuters
26/43
Connected company president Shigeki Tomoyama addresses a press briefing as he elaborates on Toyota's "connected strategy" in Tokyo.
The Connected Company is a part of seven Toyota in-house companies that were created in April 2016
Getty
27/43
A Toyota Motors employee demonstrates a smartphone app with the company's pocket plug-in hybrid (PHV ) service on the cockpit of the latest Prius hybrid vehicle during Toyota's "connected strategy" press briefing in Tokyo
Getty
28/43
An exhibitor charges the battery cells of AnyWalker, an ultra-mobile chasis robot which is able to move in any kind of environment during Singapore International Robo Expo
Getty
29/43
A robot with a touch screen information apps stroll down the pavilion at the Singapore International Robo Expo
Getty
30/43
An exhibitor demonstrates the AnyWalker, an ultra-mobile chasis robot that is able to move in any kind of environment during Singapore International Robo Expo
Getty
31/43
Robotic fishes swim in a water glass tank d isplayed at the Korea Pavilion during Singapore International Robo Expo
Getty
32/43
An employee shows a Samsung Electronics' Gear S3 Classic during Korea Electronics Show 2016 in Seoul, South Korea
Reuters
33/43
Visitors experience Samsung Electronics' Gear VR during the Korea Electronics Grand Fair at an exhibition hall in Seoul, South Korea
Getty
34/43
Amy Rimmer, Research Engineer at Jaguar Land Rover , demonstrates the car manufacturer's Advanced Highway Assist in a Range Rover, which drives the vehicle, overtakes and can detect vehicles in the blind spot, during the first demonstration of the UK Autodrive Project at HORIBA MIRA Proving Ground in Nuneaton, Warwickshire
PA wire
35/43
Chris Burbridge, Autonomous Driving Software Engineer for Tata Motors European Technical Center, demonstrates the car manufacturer's GLOSA V2X functionality, which is connected to the traffic ligh ts and shares information with the driver, during the first demonstration of the UK Autodrive Project at HORIBA MIRA Proving Ground in Nuneaton, Warwickshire
PA wire
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Ford EEBL Emergency Electronic Brake Lights is demonstrated during the first demonstration of the UK Autodrive Project at HORIBA MIRA Proving Ground in Nuneaton, Warwickshire
PA
37/43
Full-scale model or 'Kibo' on display at the Space Dome exhibition hall of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Tsukuba Space Center, Tsukuba, north-east of Tokyo, Japan
EPA
38/43
Miniatures on display at the Space Dome exhibition hall of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Tsukuba Space Center, in Tsukuba, north-east of Tokyo, Japan.
In its facilities, JAXA develop satellites and analyze their observation data, train astronauts for utilization in the Japanese Experiment Module 'Kibo' or the International Space Station (ISS) and develop launch vehicles
EPA
39/43
The robot developed by Seed Solutions sings and dances to the music during the Japan Robot Week 2016 at Tokyo Big Sight. At this biennial event, the participating companies exhibit their latest service robotic technologies and components
Getty
40/43
The robot developed by Seed Solutions sings and dances to music during the Japan Robot Week 2016 at Tokyo Big Sight
Getty
41/43
Government and industry are working together on a robot-like autopilot system that could eliminate the need for a second human pilot in the cockpit
AP
42/43 [19659009] Aurora Flight Sciences' technicians work on an Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automantion System (ALIAS) device in the company's Centaur aircraft at Manassas Airport in Manassas, Va.
AP
43/43 Flight Simulator
Stefan Schwart and Udo Klingenberg preparing a self-built flight simulator to land at Hong Kong airport, from Rostock, Germany
EPA
The trend has become popular in Sweden, where more than 4,000 people have had chips implanted beneath their skin over the last five years through a company called Biohax.
A partnership with the Swedish national railway system means People are able to use the Biohax chips as a replacement for paper tickets and plastic travel cards.
Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph the company revealed it is in discussions with British companies about implementing the technology on its workers.
"These companies have sensitive documents they are dealing with," Biohax founder Jowan Österlund told the publication. "[The subdermal microchips] would allow them to set restrictions for anyone."
In response, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) both sounded the alarm about the privacy implications of such technology.
"While technology is changing the way we work, this makes for distinctly uncomfortable reading, "A CBI spokesman told The Guardian . "
A TUC spokesperson added:" We know workers are already concerned that some employers are using technology to control and micromanage, whitling away their staff's right to privacy. Microchipping would give bosses even more power and control over their workers. "
Mr. Österlund said any partnerships with UK companies would allow employees to opt-in to the scheme, saying: "If you have a 15 percent uptake, that's still a huge number of people who won ' It does not require a physical ID pass. "
Advocates of the technology claim the chips improve efficiency in many aspects of their lives, as they allow frictional transactions at security checkpoints and travel terminals.
One of the earliest adopters, prominent transhumanist Zoltan Istvan, told The Independent recently how he uses his chip to access his home, while also noting the limitations of the technology.
"I had an RFID chip inserted into my hand three years ago and use it to get in and out of my home, which is great because I do not need to carry around house keys anymore," he said. [19659278] "Sorry, technological progress means my chip is already relatively behind the current technology and it will take a surgical procedure to upgrade it, albeit minor."
