of course all those against being tagged like cattle will be called nutbags

the Dr Oz segment says: these are brand new

wrong

from October 28th, 2004 - Digital Angel chip now FDA approved for medical use - http://newatlas.com/go/3339/

it says its 'similar' to pet tracking devices

wrong - its the same

There are 3 types of technologies currently commonly used on finding pets.

Microchip implants (RFID Chips)
Radio Frequency 2.4GHZ (Zigbee)
Global Positioning System (GPS) & GSM

https://pettracking.co.nz/pages/how-do-pet-trackers-work

interestingly this site goes on to asserts that long range tracking of pets is impossible via RFID "Before we get into available tracking technologies, let's first discuss the myth on Hollywood driven Microchip GPS implants that don't exist in real life. There is no such thing as a real time tracking GPS implant and there won't be for a very long time. "

but is is simply not true

A new tag from Numerex and Savi Technology can intelligently determine whether to communicate via an active RFID network or satellite communications, thereby promising more thorough, end-to-end visibility in a global supply chain.

https://www.element14.com/community/groups/wireless/blog/2010/12/14/hybrid-tag-includes-active-rfid-gps-satellite-and-sensors

looky looky mobile companies want you to be cyborgs

Method for verifying human identity during electronic sale transactions https://www.google.com/patents/US5878155

Motorola patents e-tattoo that can read your thoughts by listening to unvocalized words in your throat http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/12/tech/innovation/google-throat-tattoo/

http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/171992-motorola-patents-e-tattoo-that-can-read-your-thoughts-by-listening-to-unvocalized-words-in-your-throat

I work with RFID chips every single day at my job at Animal Control. Our county requires microchipping by county ordinance and I get this kind of thing all of the time from people worried that we are going to use their pet's microchip to "track their movements". I've had people think the government is going to track their walks with their pets, listen in on their conversations and even somehow (I have no idea how) watch them through the microchip.

The microchip is a simple RFID chip the size of a grain of rice that is subcutaneously injected between the shoulder blades. The only thing it does is provide a unique I.D. based on the microchip company that links back to your animal. The only way this number is read is with a special scanner. It is incredibly beneficial as it helps return a ton of pets back to their owners. I've had instances of pets getting back to their rightful owner YEARS after they were lost or stolen from them.

To think that RFID chips are going to suddenly be able to provide GPS coordination in an affordable manner is asinine. GPS collars are far bigger and bulkier and run anywhere from between $75-$100 on average with higher end, accurate ones costing several hundred. They also usually come with a subscription fee to use their app/coordinating software.

Modern RFID chips aren't going to provide this and it's going to require a far more costly endeavor to make all RFID chips perform like this.

The Digital Angel is NOTHING like a standard RFID microchip. You are vastly over estimating what functions a standard pet microchip provides.

NEARLY 7 YEARS AGO

ST-694 GlobalTag A new tag from Numerex and Savi Technology can intelligently determine whether to communicate via an active RFID network or satellite communications, thereby promising more thorough, end-to-end visibility in a global supply chain.

https://www.element14.com/community/groups/wireless/blog/2010/12/14/hybrid-tag-includes-active-rfid-gps-satellite-and-sensors

i'm only joking around with you don;t take it so personally if you want to tech yourself go for it

I've seen and heard about this chip. One of the big reasons I say that this isn't feasible as a subcutaneous chip - it requires a lithium battery that requires recharging. The beauty of the current RFID microchip is that it requires no battery pack/power source.

The chip you linked, while a great step in technology, has that huge limitation that we haven't been able to overcome of a useable, renewable power source.

The average hobbyist consumer GPS module is smaller than a quarter. https://www.adafruit.com/products/790?gclid=COXn8YfFxs8CFVI2aQodDfMKpQ

The average hobbyist consumer WIFI module is also about the size of a quarter and has a lot of wasted space. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/112075778240?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

These are just the consumer versions. Making electronics microscopic is the new trend with many advancements. I'm sure for the right price they can get the tech way smaller than you would imagine.

As I've said in another post the big issue is not getting them smaller - its powering them.

Ya you are right. Powering them would be a big issue. I'm not sure why you got down voted.

I've had people think the government is going to track their walks with their pets, listen in on their conversations and even somehow (I have no idea how) watch them through the microchip.

why? when they can (and do) do all that via the mobile phone in everyone's pocket?

Hey your guess is as good as mine. I think their argument is that the government doesn't require they carry a cellphone but they are being required to microchip their animal. They see it as an infringement on their rights when in reality it isn't ...since owning a pet is a privilege and not a right.

[deleted]

this

That's fine. I'm not promoting them for human use. I'm just saying do not overestimate the abilities of an RFID chip. If they were going to start injecting people with a chip that records/provides real time gps data/monitors your vital signs it would have to be FAR more sophisticated. All of that sophistication comes at a cost - size.

I am not saying they couldn't get all of that down to the size of a grain of rice, aka the standard size of an RFID microchip. But the cost of such a chip would be FAR higher than the standards RFID chip (sold between $10 to $40 depending on quality). The cost of mass producing such a chip and then placing them in people would be astronomical. This doesn't even include the multitude of software, the manpower to monitor them, etc.

For pets it is a incredible device and I really hate seeing people try and tell me "You aren't microchipping my dog, its the mark of the devil" because that is just straight bullshit.

I'm not versed enough in any of this, but if what you're saying is true, my initial thought is that this is the initial gateway to get people accustomed to having something implanted inside your body. Eventually the better technology will come along, and just like the new iPhone - everyone will want the "upgrade". Their trick isn't to force this upon you, the trick is to get you to want it.

It'll be interesting, but I can definitely say I'll be dead before anything is ever implanted inside my body.

You have to remember that military technology is roughly 20-30 years more advanced then what we see as consumers. So if they are coming out with these simple RFID tags, then they have something hidden behind the curtain that is way more advanced...

These simple RFID chips have been out for 20+ years at this point. Hell it has been a law in my county that your dogs/cats must be microchipped since 2001. They aren't a new technology by any means.

Any further advancements then a simple tag reading is going to require an internal power source.

Now instead of breaking in and stealing some old lady's wallet, phone, keys and money, I can just cut her chip out of her arm and have it all in one neat little package. Thanks, science!

its 'armless

honest!

Or just use a tool to wirelessly steal the necessary data, like people do with those tap to pay credit cards.

it is stupifying to see this program push this nazi shit as if it is new

digital auschwitz here we come

except it'll be real this time.

Hahahah yas

So no pool. Damn.

This is no joke. I should know.

This company, Digital Angel, was a penny stock in roughly 2001. It was bouncing between $.12 and $.20 with decent volume. It would bounce like this a few times a week. I'd seen that it was pending FDA approval for use in humans. I bought $2k at $.18 and it spiked to over $1.20 the day of the approval.

I made mistakes and didn't make any money.

The last time I calculated it (maybe 4 years ago), had I held on to the shares, they would have been worth over $100k.

Good on you for not investing and supporting this crap.

for a hint at what the future nightmare will be like watch this: https://vimeo.com/166807261

I do not like that at all. I would never use that crap.

What made you think that's was a joke?

Australia is on board as well.

(http://www.news.com.au/technology/gadgets/wearables/australians-embracing-superhuman-microchip-technology/news-story/536a08003cb07cba23336f83278a5003)

The Dr. Idiot show lol.....Just another dirtbag.

This is nothing new. Rich kids have been using these for years at party resorts like Aruba. That way they can walk around in bikinis with no baggage and still buy drinks.

props to the dude from the company taking and answering questions. fuck the downvotes, this guy is doing us a service today.

By soliciting and oversimplifying the technology?

by showing up

The dark lord has no part in it

By keeping Voldemort out of it.

I thought Dr. Oz lost his show... They must've gotten to him with the MK Ultra... When a problem becomes a solution. I admire their tact, no matter how evil.

Leaving the tracking concerns aside, these implants would make crimes easier to pull off.

If the consumer-end version of the chip is read-only, you can guaranty that someone a bit more tech savvy will reverse engineer it and make a rewritable implant.

Stolen bank accounts, cars, etc. all easily done with a mere shake of the hand.

They'll have to fucking kill me first

What's the problem? People should be able to choose what they install.

Yeah the governments of the world have never secretly installed things to watch you before or changed laws to make doing stuff like that legal after the fact.

No different than having a tap and go credit card, or a remote key.

Don't see people freaking out over those.

[deleted]

Lol you have to have some sort of brain malfunction to advertise implantable microchip technology on a subreddit dedicated to conspiracy theories. And to be that unintelligent, I wouldn't want anything you designed anywhere near my body, whether you claim it to be safe or not.

This is just absurd... And good grief your website is called dangerous things? LOL, I'm seriously laughing so hard at the stupidity I can't even handle it.

[deleted]

Well I won't get your device, rest assured. And not because I believe it'll make me easier to track or harm me, but your level of ignorance about the demographics you advertise to and your lack of professionalism berating an audience you had no business pandering to in the first place.

You're a moron, Dana Burnidge. The sooner you admit that, the sooner you can go back to designing more implants nobody needs.

This. Dana is a condescending prick that just wanted to troll a sub he/she knew would not be welcoming.

[deleted]

I learned more about current RFID chips doing a few Google searches than what you've included here in your vague and simplified explanations about the very basics of active and passive differences.

I will respond to rude, manipulative pricks with "stupidity" as you call it, I call it skepticism and criticism, every day of the week.

You don't get it do you? I'm no getting paid to do this, I'm literally trying to inform people, and that's it. But no.... It's more fun to be a gaggle of hysterical accusatory assholes to me.

I am a fucking moron, thinking anyone here would like to learn the truth about something...

What does that make you though?

Not as foolish as you, I'm sure. Save your breath Dana Burnidge.

fuck all that ^{^}

agreed

Here's the deal guys... Somebody steps to you and says you HAVE to get a chip, you lay them out, you shoot them, whatever you have to do; do it in my name, because I'll be damned if this technology should every be used for any such purpose as totalitarian control. Am I being clear? Seriously if they came for your guns you'd do the same right? Simple plan. The hysteria here is real... This is a product you buy because you want it, you don't get it for free.

agreed again....no is no what part of that do they not understand i have no idea what i ate for breakfast is any of their business but they make it such in the name of terrrissmmmm they can screw off....i am no safer today than 20 years ago yeah and maybe not [thinking of them and their real agenda as helicopters go over head war games all over nyc uo and down the fdr everyday now blaring sirens

I will never understand the mechanism that closes the mind. And I don't really want to.

It's a big world out there, full of a lot of possibility, some folks chase shadows, others dance in starlight.

It's both though. Surely you must understand that from your position. While the products you are referring to are useful & desirable, it doesn't mean that they are impervious to insidious, negative applications.

People have a reason to be skeptical. We've all seen how tech is hijacked repeatedly for nefarious bullshit. It's hard to imagine that implanted tech could be an exception to what is quickly becoming the rule --- and this is tech you can't easily put down & walk away from.

Not taking sides here, just throwing some balance at the bigger picture. Good products can become bad products. We all know that; however, it's utter assholery that so many people have jumped your case in this thread.

I agree with this sentiment 100%. Although Dana Burnidge and the developers have designed this tool with convenience in mind, what's preventing it from it falling into the hands of those that wish to use it for control? Don't forget that Facebook was meant to be a social platform to connect with people and now it's surveillance tool. How do we know that this technology won't be abused?

I'm not worried about it forcibly being implanted on me, I'm worried that it will be an absolute necessity. I made a post about this and a user replied to me with the plot of a book called The Feed. This user said it best so I'll quote him/her.

"the scariest part of this book was that anyone without a chip was basically outcast from society by necessity. Without a chip, you couldn't perform basic functions. Communication. People didn't always speak out loud, there was no reason to. It could be done via brain waves - telepathy through technology. This was the norm. Without a chip, you were blind, deaf, and mute, and people took for granted that everyone had one. Why would you not? A chipless person would stand in a room of silent people, a crowd of silence, a world of silence. In the story, it's all for the common good. People are the internet, they are never severed from it. In real life, I begin to see something among teenagers and adults who never let go of their smartphones... we have the chip, it's just not physically attached to our bodies yet. I sometimes wonder if anyone else feels a piercing sense of loneliness when sitting in a room with people staring down at their screens. It may not need to be a cure/prevention that forces the chip on people, but simply needing to be a part of society. That's stealthy, that's slow, that's happening right now. From socializing and job applications to managing your money in your bank account is not a huge leap. Imagine the day when you can only access your funds by an App. It won't shock you, because it will be introduced so slowly, so elective at first, until it is necessity. This won't be forced on us, we will accept it as it is put into our hands."

If being skeptical of such a technology makes me a luddite moron, then I will happily accept that label. Anything that can be abused, will be.

i dance in starlight daily personally

cup half full syndrome

Here's the deal guys... Somebody steps to you and says you HAVE to get a chip, you lay them out, you shoot them, whatever you have to do; do it in my name, because I'll be damned if this technology should every be used for any such purpose as totalitarian control. Am I being clear? Seriously if they came for your guns you'd do the same right? Simple plan. The hysteria here is real... This is a product you buy because you want it, you don't get it for free.

[deleted]

"chicken little"

Insults now? Just proves how childish you can be. Sorry, can't take you seriously now, kid.

Don't forget that satellites can take a picture of you scratching your ass from space and your phone is listening to you every second of every minute

Oh, so that makes this OK? That we've already dealt with those intrusions so we should be used to something like this?

The laws of physics and its design dictate this, unless the tag is within about 10cm of a reader antenna; it is completely inert, radiometrically and biologically.

And we're usually sitting within that distance of a smartphone, wireless network, cell network, etc. Machine to machine learning negates all of this. There are multiple possibilities here for interconnection despite your primitive summary of RFID limitations.

There are multiple possibilities here for interconnection...

I was wondering about the same thing. RFID stands for radio frequency identification. And we live in a virtual bath of different radio frequencies.

I'd be willing to bet that there's a way to use some of those frequencies to covertly read any RFID device.

[deleted]

Help the class? Big silly? You're barking up the wrong tree with your passive aggressive condescending remarks. The fact is out there that chipping people is on the to-do list of the wealthy elite. You clearly already know this by your defensive nature so I don't know why you're acting like users of this sub are lunatics.

Are you trying to tell me that your phone is constantly on top of a specific spot on the top of your hand that you would be so concerned

Are you trying to tell me your phone and hands aren't passing by door frames, touching other devices, etc.? You just said it was about 10cm and now it's 1cm. I work with RFID chips and 10 is more accurate than 1.

Here's the deal guys... Somebody steps to you and says you HAVE to get a chip, you lay them out, you shoot them, whatever you have to do; do it in my name, because I'll be damned if this technology should every be used for any such purpose as totalitarian control. Am I being clear? Seriously if they came for your guns you'd do the same right? Simple plan. The hysteria here is real... This is a product you buy because you want it, you don't get it for free.

Got it, I didn't know solicitation was OK here. Not a great choice of a sub to solicit the product, but to each his own and good luck.

Seriously... Solicitation? I tell you to cap any nazi motherfucker that theoretically comes to you telling you you have to get a chip, to preserve your personal sovereignty, and to do it in my name, and you go to solicitation?

[deleted]

Great sales tactic. Call everyone a moron who's skeptical of an already controversial subject. I'm sure that will work out for you.

[removed]

I know something you'll lose if you continue in this vein, and that's your ability to post in this subreddit. Rule 10, this will be your only warning.

Take it if you must! I'm done with this abuse.

Seriously... I pipe up to be informative and the first thing I get is all this crap? A couple of good souls here had the decency to ask questions, but a deluge of crap precedes and follows...

Yeah, I need that like I need prostate cancer...

If you want to be helpful why not read my posts chronologically. I didn't start the hostility, and I won't finish it either, nor will I take it lying down!

I'll observe rule 10 because it is simply the nice thing to do, ban me from posting if it makes you feel good, but I DID NOT COME HERE TO START A FIGHT! I expect the mods of this sub to appreciate the spirit of seeking the truth. I offered it from an insider's perspective. Nothing more.

No one called you a moron, and no one said "fuck you", as you did above. As I said it's only a warning, just try to be a bit more mindful going forward and there will be more issues. Cheers.

Cheers

You work with RFID? Well, it's a 2x12mm tag, interface between flat plane and cylindrical, what kind of range are you really expecting with that kind of geometry?

"The name of my website is "dangerousthings.com" but don't worry! It's not really dangerous."

"Satan is not on the line....The dark lord has no part in it: I promise you! And remember, if I WAS supporting Satan, either way, my promises would be completely trustworthy!"

"I'm here to take questions and insult and belittle anyone who challenges me!"

[deleted]

The laws of physics and its design dictate this, unless the tag is within about 10cm of a reader antenna, it is completely inert, radiometrically and biologically

I'm somewhat skeptical about this claim.

Good, go learn about electromagnetism now.

Unless being scared about a toaster is more your style...

How about this instead?

You go run along and chip yourself. I'll hang back for a decade or two and we'll see what happens.

Whatever man. I've had these things for years now myself, and the only oppression I get for it is places like here, but... that's not the point is it? People have been crying wolf since Kevin Warwick.

Today's circus is nothing new or special.

What do your chips and magnetic implant do?

I use my chips for things like process automation, locking/unlocking my phone without using biometrics. (I don't need or want anyone getting my fingerprints.) They have countless applications, depends on what I want to use them for really.

My magnet gives me two extra senses and a superpower. I can sense electromagnetic fields, and the presence of ferric metals. And I can also move and pick up metal. It's very convenient for small electronics projects. :-)

That's very cool. I read about the finger implants essentially allowing a person to "see" magnetic fields a few years ago. "Sense" is a better descriptive. Pretty fascinating all in all.

How long did it take you to get used to the magnets? I work with clothing (snaps/buttons/pins/needles/etc.) I feel like I would get stuck to everything constantly. Haha :)

Hehe, It was actually one of the fastest healing procedures I've had done. The incision was sealed in a week and I was comfortable with using it about a month in actually. I was careful during healing (and now) to make sure I stayed away from super strong magnets because I didn't want to tear the suture, but it was really neat learning how to feel the pulse of machines. :D

world's first human implantable NFC platform

That's purely a lie.

Props for directly addressing a segment of people that many in your position wouldn't.

Here's my question. Given some of the evidence for air-gap hacks existing in the wild (Shamir of RSA fame did some stuff on this somewhat recently), what are the concerns that your devices are subject to the same exploits?

And as followup question, given that this tech exists on the person and is somewhat difficult to remove, it introduces a signal that can uniquely identify a user by whomever has the ability to pick up the signal. That also means that the signal can be intercepted, and duplicated. What are the checks against reverse engineering of your device? What protocols / processes are you using to ensure that spoofing is prevented?

These are excellent questions! Thank you!

Air gap hacks rely largely, almost exclusively... on antenna geometry, credit cards especially. The trick is cards use flat plane antennae, this greatly increases range and subsequent vulnerability to surreptitious intrusion. What our design ensures is that one would literally have to be in possession or physical control of the implanted hand, the very laws of physics demand skin contact. So, either the implantee wants the interface to occur, or they are otherwise being physically coerced, and have bigger problems.

To your second question: These devices have ZERO capacitance, they do not broadcast on their own. They require an energized antenna outside of the body to engage a magnetic resonance which then energizes the chip, and facilitates transfer of data. They do not in any way shape or form, have the capacity to operate Stand-alone or broadcast! Hollywood wants you to think these things are a lot cooler and more badass than they are really capable of being...

As well, we went to great lengths to make sure that these tags ARE EASY to remove. They do not feature anti-migration coatings, which allows them to be popped out like a sliver in an outpatient procedure that lasts only about 5-10 minutes. You can even do it yourself, if you have a strong stomach.

Encryption is the last best hope of humanity, Clones of tags and spoofs are not impossible, however, the interception factor is a backend vulnerability. Like any other piece of information sent over the internet it is open season so to speak, however data is secure in the tag until it is read. Closed systems like door locks and smart home configurations are the most secure. Ultimately it falls to the end user to secure their data, on-board encryption is easily facilitated, and while we don't recommend embedding sensitive data onto your tag; the best way to keep it safe is to (1) keep it secret, no one needs to know whether you have a tag, where you have it, or especially what you use it for. Keeping those three pieces of information to yourself makes abuse expressly difficult. We make lifetime security easier by providing the necessary basic software to lock the device in such a manner as to prevent vandals from damaging the ability to rewrite or format tags.

I hope that was helpful. :-)

Great info in your response, regardless.

I should have been clearer with my question although I think you may have answered it sort of. Is it possible for someone to write to the chip from a greater distance than 1 cm, if they had sufficient power? What in the design prevents someone from activating the RFID in this way?

Also, what crypto do you use?

You realize you are probably the only other sane person here right? You're a light in the darkness...

Short answers are Yes, up to about 20ish feet should the assailant go to great lengths, such lengths that destroy covert intrustion.

The design security comes in the form of its size, the geometry of fields and the applications' ability to transmit energy and data are limited to very short distances by the design of the antenna, it is about the smallest design of its nature that physically works, the scale of the antenna coil dictates the scale of range.

'Locking the Chip Open' secures against long term damage and makes it so vandals cannot do permanent harm. The practical manner of encryption is largely up to the user.

You realize you are probably the only other sane person here right? You're a light in the darkness...

There's a lot of us. There's a lot of people invested in making things appear a certain way so as to mislead others. The nerd community that tries to understand the situation is capable of slicing through the bs. Sadly, the vast majority of people, capable nerds included, don't spend the time on water, so to speak, to gain familiarity with the tactics used. This can be quite demoralizing because it gives people the false impression that "most of the rest of us" are children both emotionally and intellectually.

What OS's does your tech team run? What would they suggest re: security? Specifically looking for comments on openbsd, and qubes. Cheers,

I hate kids...

Honestly, my main part was developing biocompatibility, making it safe for being inside people. The device interfaces with various software environments. As far as security on the backend goes, follow your heart, there's a lot of good bad and ugly when it comes to environments. Naturally, windows 3.x on a LAN is probably going to be a safe bet.

Naturally, windows 3.x on a LAN is probably going to be a safe bet.

lol, way too modern.

haha :-)

I appreciate your effort to explain this topic in such a hostile environment. Thanks!

Happy to help. :-)

[deleted]

[removed]

[removed]

no - you have obviously confuse me with one of your prototype robot people

tell me

do you get to man a control tower?

watch this for tips

https://youtu.be/JgOG0j5KJsw?t=366

[removed]

you don't like people disagreeing with you?

should not be in charge of this type of tech really

MASSIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL WARNING SIGNS

MANY HUMANS DO NOT WANT TO BE CHIPPED LIKE CATTLE

FACE THE FACTS

IT IS DEMEANING

[removed]

[deleted]

spend a lot of time typing stuff that no one cares about

stay on topic

if you personally want to tech up go for it

but seriously

coming to this sub and attempting to try a turkeyshoot on others knowledge imagination & intelligence

belittles your own

"The Beast", "Lord have mercy".

You religious freaks need science or something in your life. At least get off this sub.

Clinton: Well, it's not only my opinion, but it's the opinion of many others. National security experts, Republicans, former Republican members of congress. But it’s in part because those of us who have had the great privilege of seeing this job up close and know how difficult it is and it's not just because I watched my husband take a $300 billion deficit and turn it into a $200 billion surplus and 23 million new jobs were created and incomes went up for everybody. Everybody. African-American incomes went up 33%. And it’s not just because worked with George W. Bush after 9/11 and I was very proud that when I told them what the city need and what we needed to recover, he said you got it and he never wavered. He stuck with me. And I have worked and i admire President Obama. He inherited the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. That was a terrible time for our country.

Take it if you must! I'm done with this abuse.

Seriously... I pipe up to be informative and the first thing I get is all this crap? A couple of good souls here had the decency to ask questions, but a deluge of crap precedes and follows...

Yeah, I need that like I need prostate cancer...

If you want to be helpful why not read my posts chronologically. I didn't start the hostility, and I won't finish it either, nor will I take it lying down!

I'll observe rule 10 because it is simply the nice thing to do, ban me from posting if it makes you feel good, but I DID NOT COME HERE TO START A FIGHT! I expect the mods of this sub to appreciate the spirit of seeking the truth. I offered it from an insider's perspective. Nothing more.

Cheers

I agree with this sentiment 100%. Although Dana Burnidge and the developers have designed this tool with convenience in mind, what's preventing it from it falling into the hands of those that wish to use it for control? Don't forget that Facebook was meant to be a social platform to connect with people and now it's surveillance tool. How do we know that this technology won't be abused?

I'm not worried about it forcibly being implanted on me, I'm worried that it will be an absolute necessity. I made a post about this and a user replied to me with the plot of a book called The Feed. This user said it best so I'll quote him/her.

"the scariest part of this book was that anyone without a chip was basically outcast from society by necessity. Without a chip, you couldn't perform basic functions. Communication. People didn't always speak out loud, there was no reason to. It could be done via brain waves - telepathy through technology. This was the norm. Without a chip, you were blind, deaf, and mute, and people took for granted that everyone had one. Why would you not? A chipless person would stand in a room of silent people, a crowd of silence, a world of silence. In the story, it's all for the common good. People are the internet, they are never severed from it. In real life, I begin to see something among teenagers and adults who never let go of their smartphones... we have the chip, it's just not physically attached to our bodies yet. I sometimes wonder if anyone else feels a piercing sense of loneliness when sitting in a room with people staring down at their screens. It may not need to be a cure/prevention that forces the chip on people, but simply needing to be a part of society. That's stealthy, that's slow, that's happening right now. From socializing and job applications to managing your money in your bank account is not a huge leap. Imagine the day when you can only access your funds by an App. It won't shock you, because it will be introduced so slowly, so elective at first, until it is necessity. This won't be forced on us, we will accept it as it is put into our hands."

If being skeptical of such a technology makes me a luddite moron, then I will happily accept that label. Anything that can be abused, will be.