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British Companies Plans To Microchip Employees To Boost Security

British Companies Plans To Microchip Employees To Boost Security

A number of companies in Britain are in talks with Biohax, a firm that creates and implants microchips into workers - which is terrifying

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

A number of companies in Britain are in talks with a firm that creates and implants microchips into workers - which isn't terrifying at all, is it?

According to the Sunday Telegraph, Swedish company Biohax is currently in discussions with several British employers who are considering fitting their employees with smart microchips in attempts to improve security.

The report says one 'major' company currently in talks - and it hundreds of thousands of members of staff. It's all very Black Mirror.

I don't know about you, but the idea of my boss being able to track my movements outside of work fills me with dread - I'd never be able to blag I wasn't hungover, for a start.

The teeny chips are around the size of a grain of rice and usually implanted in the flesh between the thumb and forefinger, the Guardian reports. The chips can store information such as medical data, or be used as a 'key' to open doors or start cars. Some folk in London have even had the chip from their Oyster cards implanted, which is dedicated to Transport for London.

Jowan Österlund, who founded Biohax, told the Telegraph: "[The chips] would allow them to set restrictions for whoever.

"These companies have sensitive documents they are dealing with.


"There's no losing it - there's no dropping it, there's no forgetting it. There's always going to be an ultimate backup."

The Confederation of British Industry, which represents almost 200,000 UK businesses, has responded to the report calling it 'uncomfortable reading'.

A spokesperson told the Guardian: "While technology is changing the way we work, this makes for distinctly uncomfortable reading. Firms should be concentrating on rather more immediate priorities and focusing on engaging their employees."

While Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the Trade Union Congress, also expressed some concerns over the idea of an employer choosing to microchip its staff.

She said: "We know workers are already concerned that some employers are using tech to control and micromanage, whittling away their staff's right to privacy.

"Microchipping would give bosses even more power and control over their workers. There are obvious risks involved, and employers must not brush them aside, or pressure staff into being chipped."

In Sweden, around 4,000 people have been chipped, including 85 workers from Tui, a travel firm.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Science, UK News, Business, Interesting, Technology