California says employers can't require RFID implants

Filed under: Wearables

The debate over RFID implants continues to rage on several fronts, as California has just enacted a measure prohibiting employers from requiring employees to get tagged. The bill's sponsor, state senator Joe Simitian, says RFID is a "minor miracle," but called mandatory tagging "the ultimate invasion of privacy." California joins Wisconsin and North Dakota in prohibiting required RFID implantation, and we'd expect to see other states follow suit -- although embattled RFID vendor VeriChip says only 2,000 people have implants, the jury is still out on safety of the devices, and the idea of being required to get an implant is pretty distasteful -- exactly the sort of soundbite-friendly issue a politician can get behind.

 

[via] Engadget