FC: Surveillance news: Implantable microchips for humans, GPS tracking

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

Here's the company, Applied Digital Solutions, denying -- just a few months 
ago -- that they had any such plans:

"We are not now developing, nor do we have any plans to develop, anything 
other than an external, wearable device."
http://www.politechbot.com/p-02162.html

Background:
http://www.politechbot.com/p-02154.html

-Declan

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<http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-121901chips.story>http<http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-121901chips.story>://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-121901chips.story

   By DAVID STREITFELD -- A Florida company is poised to become the first
   to sell microchips designed to be implanted into human beings, an
   achievement that opens the door to new systems of medical monitoring
   and ID screening.
   Implantable chips have long been discussed by technologists and
   denounced by those who object on religious grounds or fear their use
   by a totalitarian state. But the company that did the test, Applied
   Digital Solutions of Palm Beach, said the specter of terrorism is
   shifting attitudes. The direct union of man and computer is no longer
   dismissed out of hand.
   "The bottom line is, when people are trying to regain their peace of
   mind, they're more open to new approaches," said Keith Bolton, Applied
   Digital's chief technology officer.
   Applied Digital, which had revenue of $165 million last year, has made
   its mark by selling electronic chips that help farmers keep tabs on
   the health and safety of their cows and other livestock. The company
   also makes a monitoring bracelet for Alzheimer patients, so that
   families can use global positioning satellite systems to help find
   loved ones who might have wandered off.
   [...]

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From: "Jack Dean" <JackDean () webcommanders com>
To: "Declan McCullagh" <declan () well com>
Subject: Orange County [CA] to Track Sex Criminals With GPS
Date: Sun, 23 Dec 2001 18:04:31 -0800

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-000101626dec23.story?coll=la%2Dheadlines%2Dcalifornia

Los Angeles Times
December 23, 2001

O.C. to Track Sex Criminals With GPS

Probation: A satellite tracking system will help monitor freed offenders
around the clock. Critics say the plan smacks of Big Brother.

By STUART PFEIFER, TIMES STAFF WRITER

Orange County is taking what some civil libertarians consider troubling
steps to keep tabs on released sex offenders, giving them periodic lie
detector tests and, starting next year, requiring some to wear wristbands
linked to satellite tracking systems.

The county will become the first in the state, and one of only a dozen or so
nationwide, to track sex offenders on parole and probation with global
positioning satellites, which allow officials to pinpoint offenders'
locations around the clock.

Authorities said the tracking and lie detector tests represent powerful
deterrents for offenders and could also tip off police to crimes the
probationers might commit. "It is a controversial issue for us. But our
primary concern is the protection of the community," said Bill Daniel,
director of special operations for the Orange County Probation Department.

[...]




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