VeriChip definition

A human microchip implant, the size of a grain of rice, intended to be used for identification and accessing a person’s medical records through a unique ID. The US Food and Drug Administration approved the VeriChip in 2004, but the company that produced it closed three years later.

VeriChip privacy concerns

Privacy experts noted that compulsory chip identification could lead to data abuse. The possible hacking of the device and data theft – as well as identity theft – were also major concerns. While it was considered especially beneficial to use to access dementia patients’ medical records, getting their informed consent was another issue that couldn’t be effectively dealt with.

Further reading