The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the lives of nearly everyone, if not all. But, despite the continued efforts to return to normalcy, the global crisis has yet to conclude, with the virus remaining in circulation.
Experts say, though, that vaccination is the key to stopping the pandemic. This explains why it has become a great deal to be fully vaccinated today.
Many industries and sectors have, accordingly, emphasized the need for proof of vaccination. As a result, vaccine passports and certificates have become a requirement in most establishments.
But, these documents entail some challenges. As the world becomes more inclined into the Internet of Things, the desire to make things more "connected" continues to emerge due to the convenience it offers. Hence, the arrival of COVID-19 vaccine passport microchip implants.
Insider recently reported that a Swedish start-up has created a microchip implant that will display the carrier's COVID-19 vaccination details upon scanning. It utilizes the Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology, which makes today's contactless payments possible.
The invention is from Dsruptive Subdermals, and features a 2x16 millimeter pre-programmed scannable implant, likened to the size of a grain. It costs about $113 or €100, as per the company's managing director, Hannes Sjoblad.
In his statement, convenience and accessibility are the base reasons for the invention. He said that with the microchip implant, it is always accessible for anyone who requires the carrier's COVID-19 vaccination details.
But, despite the benefits that the invention offers amid the pandemic, as well as the technology itself, concerns over data privacy have risen, according to iTechPost. Accordingly, the Dsruptive Subdermals head made clarifications to address the apparent questions and issues about the microchip implant.
He noted that the invention is "not capable of sending and receiving a person's location." He, also, pointed out that the implant does not have a battery, making it impossible to transmit a signal on its own. "They are passive," and only respond to being scanned.
Sjoblad, later on, acknowledged that there are, indeed, privacy concerns arising from the public as many people see "implants as a scary technology, a surveillance technology." He countered, however, that they should see them as "a simple ID tag," instead.
RTE recalled that several thousands of Swedes have already opted to have microchip implants inserted under their skin in recent years. This has reportedly helped increase further convenience, reducing the need for business cards, public transport cards, and key fobs.
Disruptive Subdermals asserted, as well, that the COVID-19 vaccination passport is just one of the possible applications. Its head even added that the implant serving as a vaccine pass will be a "thing for the winter of 2021 to 2022."
