RFID Implants for Spanish Revelers 382
WWW/X writes "USA Today reports that clubbers in Barcelona are getting drunk and being implanted on site with RFID chips in order to pay their bills without carrying around bulky items such as credit cards. The article states that the implant can go anywhere, however it does not state whether anyone has chosen their forehead." The club's website describes the program (link in spanish).
Barcelona (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Barcelona (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Barcelona (Score:2)
Just how stupid/vapid/careless/insane ... (Score:2)
They should be ashamed that they're NOT drunk when they do this.
Good thing I'm not a fundamentalist or I'd see this as an indicator of people volunteering for the Mark of the Beast.
Re:Just how stupid/vapid/careless/insane ... (Score:3, Interesting)
Barcelona does have one of the worst rates of pickpocketing in Europe. So I can see why people don't want to be carrying their wallets around when they're drunk.
Re:Barcelona (Score:2, Insightful)
SO cool. (Score:5, Funny)
Anyway I've read here long enough to know that no one here is going to want a waver but that's cool because I'm just guessing here that only uncool ugly people are going to get all wigged about being cool and not having to carry a wallet. Which just means more hot guys at Baja for me.
Smack that ass, boyfriend!
Re:SO cool. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:SO cool. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:SO cool. (Score:5, Funny)
You forgot... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:SO cool. (Score:5, Insightful)
Then all of a sudden, the banking institutions begin associating the data with you. Now instead of carrying around a wallet, you carry around a chip which a central database in some goverment or business institution. The chip stores your info, and all they've got to do to enforce it is put in advanced versions of credit card readers that read chips and correlate that data over the intarweb.
That isn't the end though. There'll still be a few people reeling and screaming to the rest of the sheeple that what they're doing is wrong. The real end, is when someone comes before congress complaining about the incredible cost of keeping a cashier at the front desk. They'll talk about making a law stating businesses won't have to take money anymore for trade. Of course, by then everything will be pretty much monopolised by profiteering corperations. Then, when the terrorists begin trading with people, good ol' barter, they'll outlaw that too.
And then the banking institutions have all the power they ever wanted.
Forehead (Score:5, Funny)
Or right hand for that matter.
Re: Forehead (Score:5, Insightful)
The right hand is a symbol of work. Do you work for God or do you work for yourself?
A lawyer 2000 years ago wrote the following:
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Glass? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Glass? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Glass? (Score:2)
Re:Glass? (Score:2)
It is the same ids they use on cats, dogs, horses, some cows, etc. If it is durable enough to use on these animals, it is durable enough for you.
Re:Glass? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Glass? (Score:4, Informative)
No prob (Score:5, Funny)
Get RFID tag installed.
Don your tinfoil hat.
Drink.
Problem... (Score:2)
Or, they could just decide to put a second tag in your throat. Just faulty enough to ignite the alchohol as it goes by. (Thus destroying any incriminating evidence.)
Uhh... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Uhh... (Score:3, Funny)
Scalpels just became a mugging tool! (Score:5, Interesting)
Lean against the bar and accidently buy everybody a round!
Or better, yet muggers using a knife and cutting out the implant. I'd feel better if the scanner would only work an inch or two from the chip, rather than several feet. Otherwise, in a crowded bar how would you know who is paying?
Ouch! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Ouch! (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Ouch! (Score:5, Funny)
what if they leave? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:what if they leave? (Score:3, Funny)
does your body slowly reject it and shoot it across the room?
Yeah, you get it implanted in your wrist and at the right moment you impress the girls with your "Look at me, I'm Spiderman!" move as it flies from your wrist.
Re:what if they leave? (Score:3, Informative)
I've had a shard of fiberglass in my leg for ten years (pole vaulting) and it hasn't come out yet. Sometimes after running two or three miles I can reach down and feel it but other then that I wouldn't even know it was still there.
stinkin RFID (Score:5, Funny)
you can take your RFID and shove it up your ass! literally!
Re:stinkin RFID (Score:3, Insightful)
Well, at least you have a solution to the privacy issue that you can't remove the chip after you leave the bar...
Not just privacy issues.. (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Not just privacy issues.. (Score:2)
Re:Not just privacy issues.. (Score:2)
RFID (Score:2)
Re:Not just privacy issues.. (Score:4, Insightful)
You don't get it.
All you would need is a simple RF recording and playback device.
When you walk up to the bar, I hit "record". When you pay, I've got your 128 bit number.
Then I walk up the bar and hit "play". Congratulations, your "unique" 128 bit number has just paid for my drink.
It would be similar to the "codegrabbing" devices that have been used to bypass car alarms and garage doors.
If one was particularly clever, they could build the device as an attachment to a device like an ipaq or an ipod, allowing it to be used inconspicuously.
Re:Not just privacy issues.. (Score:3, Informative)
Look up public/private key systems.
David
Re:Not just privacy issues.. (Score:4, Insightful)
Look up public/private key systems.
It is NOT a good idea to make the assumption that encryption is involved here. Most RFID tech (read: what Walmart's calling for) is NOT going to involve encryption.
Do you actually think this bar paid the extra money for the *expensive* RFID tags with actual processors in them? I may have a bridge to sell you......
Re:Not just privacy issues.. (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Not just privacy issues.. (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Not just privacy issues.. (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Not just privacy issues.. (Score:4, Informative)
OK, I went there, and I'm not seeing it... got a specific link? What I see [4verichip.com] is:
No mention of the number changing. I didn't even see where it said that it was a 128-bit number. Surely such a highly-moderated comment was verified by the moderators, right? Oh wait, this is slashdot... never mind.Reminds me.. (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Reminds me.. (Score:4, Funny)
You see a design flaw, they see a feature.
Re:Reminds me.. (Score:3, Interesting)
This is a pretty legitimate concern. There was a scandal at the Gold Club, the biggest "gentlemen's club" in Atlanta, a few years ago. They were charging extra stuff to the tabs of men who were really sloshed, figuring they wouldn't remember the next morning how many lap dances they'd had. I believe they targeted business travelers and pro athletes, people likely to have the money but not scrutinize their bills, and
Re:Reminds me.. (Score:2)
Re:Reminds me.. (Score:2)
Alternatives (Score:5, Insightful)
A ring
A necklace
An earring, nose ring, etc.
A bracelet
A watch
All of these seem a lot safer, putting things under the skin can be really really dangerous. How do you go about getting it out if you're done with it? What if someone clones your id? What if it migrates to somewhere else in your body?
It's times like this that I'm glad we have an FDA here in the US.
Idiot Sauron (Score:5, Funny)
D'oh! If Sauron had remembered to embed an RFID chip in that damn ring when he first had it made, it would have saved him and many others thousands of years of "looking for lost jewelry" trouble.
Really? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Alternatives (Score:2)
Re:Alternatives (Score:2, Informative)
Bingo. [timex.com]
Re:Alternatives (Score:2)
What about it? Dont you think we have one as well in Europe? I assure you, we do...
My cats (Score:3, Interesting)
If they get lost their necklace tells the finder to call a number / go to a vet to get the number read.
The number corresponds with my address information in a database and I get a call.
My point is this: it's no 'new' technology and the chip does not migrate in the cat's body (it's implanted near the left shoulder).
Of course the implantation should be done by skilled people. My guess is that it ins't the bartender who implants the chip
Running of the Bulls (Score:5, Funny)
I look foward to participating in the next run, and logging into my specially-fitted Palm Pilot as I run down the street and check the red dots on the screen so I know where the bull horns are so I can avoid them.
rfid (Score:2, Funny)
Sensationalistic?! (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Sensationalistic?! (Score:2)
Re:Sensationalistic?! (Score:5, Insightful)
Sheesh. {mumbles}Probably not even a _redundant_ kidney either}
seiscientos sesenta seises. (Score:5, Funny)
(Thanks google.
this time in catalan (Score:2)
(thanks Socrates/Eramus at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona!
Making its way to Ibiza next (Score:2, Funny)
Shows up on credit card as "adult entertainment". I see the potential for abuse.
Wow! This is Great! (Score:3, Funny)
In Addition, I'm sure other merchants will catch on to the fact that I have an RFID tag and they will make wonderful use of it as well! This is a marvelous idea! Maybe now someone will remember my name.
Re:Wow! This is Great! (Score:2)
Yes, dakan, you are also - in addition to learning how to levitate - going to live forever.
So what... (Score:5, Funny)
Makes it easier... (Score:5, Funny)
In both cases, implants make this easier.
Grocery Rewards Chip (Score:4, Funny)
Bulky? (Score:5, Insightful)
Yeah those pesky bulky 50x30x0.5 mm^3 credit cards - don't want to lug one of those around.
Re:Bulky? (Score:3, Insightful)
Easy access to cash & alcohol (Score:3, Interesting)
If you pass out, your RFID chip still works, guess who's buying!
At least with cash, when your out, your done. Credit cards have a signature and some liability, what do the RFID tags have? (sorry no habla)
Re:Easy access to cash & alcohol (Score:5, Insightful)
Huh? So you're saying that the bartender is less likely to accept that cash that someone lifted from your wallet than to accept your passed-out body being dumped on the bar to pay for the drinks?
Re:Easy access to cash & alcohol (Score:2)
Slip the bartender some cash and he looks the other way while your RFID is used to buy rounds of drinks, I'm just saying there is a lack of safeguards that open up some big holes (social engeneering).
Apocalypse (Score:2)
So, I was thinking maybe if they would make stylish jewlery instead of implants, it would be better. I hate wearing extra things on my person.
Bad summary (Score:2, Insightful)
Then when I read the article, I found out volunteers willingly accepted them.
Gotta love Slashdot articles that throw in completely unwarranted, biased statements like "patrons are getting drunk and...", even though the article says nothing of the sort.
We are becoming 1974. (Score:3, Interesting)
Actually, I think the whole article is just wierd. At least three topics have been rammed together into this article. Does anyone have any proof that this is actually happening, or is this just some marketing hype that a reporter fell for?
Removable (Score:2)
Re:Removable (Score:2, Insightful)
This is scary. VERY scary.
Photo of implant being implanted (Score:3, Interesting)
Baja implant photo. [baja-beachclub.com]
nudist colinies (Score:3, Funny)
Python anyone? (Score:2, Funny)
Alex Jones has something to say... (Score:2, Informative)
Spain Launches Microchip Implantation for VIP Members [twoday.net]
Baja Beach Club in Barcelona
UPDATE April 7, 2004 2:30 PM CST
Note from Alex Jones:
I interviewed Conrad Chase for 30 minutes on my syndicated radio broadcast. He told me that the CEO of VeriChip, Mr. Bolton, had told him that there was a plan to use the VeriChip as a global implantable identity system. I asked him if whether in the future you would have to have a chip to get into the club period, and h
uses in the ER (Score:2)
I woke up with a bad hangover-headache! (Score:2)
Right hand or forehead? (Score:2)
I'm getting mine! (Score:3, Funny)
I'm getting mine implned in my pee-pee.
That way, I can pay for my hookers at the same time I'm fucking them.
What was that line in the book of Revelations (Score:2)
I wonder if the RFID implants have the digits "666" on them anywhere
Dance on the Volcano? (Score:2, Funny)
No. (Score:3, Insightful)
As anyone working in a Vet's Surgery will tell you, these sub-dermal chips have a read range of about 2-3 inches, so you don't have to worry about the club recording how many times you gave ten euros to the guy in the corner with all the funny bulges in his hat.
Sorry.
We will now return you to your normal paranoid service.
Wait until Vegas gets this. (Score:4, Interesting)
Take it out? (Score:2)
I mean, its fine and good if some rich euro-trash model wants to get a chip under her skin so she can be cool and buy drinks faster (means she gets drunk faster and my chances go up faster).
But lets say she's leaving....does she have the ability to have it removed from her? Something like this could potentially be a real problem trying to get through the metal detector at the airport.
"Um...no sir....its
Yikes (Score:4, Insightful)
Painlessly inserted? How about removed? A passport no matter how good you can always loose. With an rfid tag imbedded this becomes a lot harder. Does any current goverment want to use this? No probably not.
Then again think of the time when a certain european country started a database with the religion of its citizens and of their parents. And think of the time that passed before its true purpose become known. Can you predict wich kinda goverment we will have in a decade? The US 10 years ago was just getting rid of bush in favor of clinton, the netherlands was all peacefull and quiet with no-one making any political statements that were not Politically correct and politicians getting shot happened elsewhere. (for the non-dutch we had a huge uproar (by dutch standards) when Pim Fortuyn formed his own party and said things that no-one had dared say before but a lot of people were thinking. A openly gay charismatic person with some right wing and some left wing views who looked like he was going to win the election before being killed).
Scary stuff. Anyone that accepts this is insane.
credit card weight woes (Score:2, Funny)
Thank god, finally someone has come up with a way to save me from the unbearable burden of hauling my friggin credit card from place to place.[/Sarcasm]
Now, if a credit card is too bulky for your outfit then you should have some of my sex... with me.
Gentleman's Club Potential! (Score:3, Funny)
If I get this implanted in my head, I want the dancers get the scanners implanted in their crotches...
It would make paying my bill pleasurable!
Baja Beach is heaven on earth (Score:3, Informative)
Basically, the theme inside the club is that it's a beach resort. Fake palm trees, fake sand, etc. And the best part? The hosts and hostesses are all super-buff hotties wearing thongs. There's plenty of beefcake for the women and hot flesh for the men -- they literally walk around with only dental floss covering their bodies, selling you drinks on the dance floor. If you're willing to fork over extra money, you get a "body shot" where you drink your drink off the body of the hostess -- although that part grosses me out when you consider who else has licked there. And about every 15 minutes the hosts and hostesses get up on top of the tables and alternate between a male and a female striptease!
What else could a young, horny lad ask for?
Read the link; nobody says it's being USED yet (Score:3, Informative)
Q: Conrad, you think that the VeriChip will have good welcome?
A: If, I know much people with desire to implant it to it. At the moment, almost everybody takes piercings, tattoos or silicone.
They're not doing it yet. They don't know whether anyone will be willing to use it.
The Book of Slashdot (Score:3, Funny)
1:1 "And the Anonymous Coward, whose attempts to inspire many trolls had failed, ventured to the dark land of the savages. 'Why,' the dark savages questioned, 'has the nerd ventured so far from his Homeland?'"
1:2 "'Perhaps he is feeling adventurous.'"
1:3 "After the savages' intrusive physical examinations, the Anonymous Coward could only drink. And for seven days, he did."
1:4 "On the seventh day, he awoke to the unpleasant sensation of an RFID. To his dismay, the object had been installed in
Re:Credit Cardss bulky (Score:3, Funny)
Re:An excellent idea (Score:3, Interesting)
My guess is that some place I went to and payed with it, eather trashed their copy of it with the number on it (in pittsburgh many places still print out the full card number and exp date, I keep my copy in a box at home, but who know what they hell they do with theirs) or one of the servers copied the number down.