Catpaw – diary of an angry cat

I’ve been very nice the last couple of days… I’m about to make up for it now.The American Medical Association has endorsed the use of a microchip implanted under the skin so Doctors can scan you and quickly retrieve your medical information. In an interview in the Toronto Star today a patient safety expert said:

“We do that in my dog, you know,” said patient safety expert Ross Baker, a University of Toronto professor of health policy, management and evaluation.

“Veterinarians recommend it. If the pet is lost you can recover it.”

Just because it’s good for Fluffy and Fido, doesn’t mean it’s good for Fiona and Frank. I work with computers all day and have no faith in their security. Don’t know about you, but I don’t give a rat’s ass if people know whether my cat has ever had a hernia or hairball, but I sure do care if someone is able to access my personal health info.

Actually it’s less the computer security I have lack faith in, than in the ability of humans to maintain that security.

I still argue with customers (some of whom are dealing with private information) about why it is so important to keep their virus scanner up-to-date. I have a customer who used to continuously unplug his firewall because he was sure it slowed down his connection. Hello, you are leaving your customer records open to the public. His reasoning? No one would be interested in his customers. Hmmm… maybe not but then again I’m sure someone would be interested in their addresses, email addresses, purchasing records. Can we say identity theft? Wake up.

Who will be in charge of creating and maintaining security? Some underpaid flunky? Someone with a chip on their shoulder rather than under their skin? Or how about someone who just gets a bit careless.

Imagine this: you are walking down the street broadcasting your confidential medical information. Given the right technology, it would be easy to scoop up. Think of the opportunities to abuse this. Many an unscrupulous employer would love to use this type of technology to spy on their chattle, er, sorry, employees.

I love technology. My idea of a good time is tearing a computer down and fixing it. Or sitting with a sticky software problem. But I still don’t trust it. Stuff happens. When I’m talking to customers I tell them “Have faith, but not in computers.” In one of my snottier moments this morning I thought what if the chips are manufactured in China? You do realise the production plant will be working to make the cheapest chip possible to optimise profits. What will be in the chips? Will it leak into our bloodstream? How about the old lead content? Seems to be a surplus of that kicking around the Middle Kingdom. Will that find its way into the chips? It will if it cuts costs. Don’t for a minute believe the manufacturers of these little beauties are concerned with your health. The bottom line is all that matters. Can’t wait to see that recall occur!I don’t think I’ll be chipped in my lifetime.

Stumble it!