What John writes is so true.  The link below is to a story about a case here
in Michigan where the data from a vehicle's black box is being used as
evidence in a fatal crash.  In addition to witness testimony about speed,
which can be unreliable for a variety of reasons, they now have "proof" that
the person was traveling at least 20 MPH over the speed limit.  Will that
result in a tougher sentence?  Is that fair?  There was never any doubt that
he was the one driving and little doubt that the accident was his fault.  So
what purpose does the black box data serve?  Many of us in this town were
shocked that such data exists.  It makes you wonder about that newer model
car sitting outside - should you be driving an older one?  Airbags in new
cars make you safer if you are hit, but black boxes make you more likely to
go to jail if you cause an accident?  It bothers me that consumers have not
had a choice and I don't know if it's a fair trade-off.

http://www.record-eagle.com/2004/oct/6fatal.htm

As for the medical records chip, I believe the scanners are used in
conjunction with limited-access databases, but with any system the more ways
there are to access the information (hospitals around the country, even with
passwords, vs. 1 copy in your doctor's office) the more ways there are to
compromise it.  Whether or not a person has known severe allergies or a
sensitive medical condition they don't want others to know about probably
affects individual opinions, though.

Sue Styles
Information Services Supervisor
American Proficiency Institute
1159 Business Park Drive
Traverse City, MI  49686

P: 800-333-0958 ext. 3017
F: 231-941-7287
E: [log in to unmask]


-----Original Message-----
Many people would be surprised how much we are tracked already.  Do you know
how many chips there are in your car alone which track various things like
average speeds, distances travelled, maintenance issues etc.  Cookies track
us on the internet and cameras in buildings, elevators, stores and on the
road.  I think we must be the most monitored generation ever! My concern
with these implants is that like other technology which has arisen of late,
these chips could be used for purposes other then what they were intended
for.  What would the information gathered be used for and how would it be
protected?  Who would have access to it?  There are many more questions
which would have to be answered.

John A. Gervais
Program Manager
Policy and Standards Section
Information Policy and Governance Division
Intergovernmental and International Affairs Directorate
Policy and Planning Branch
Canada Revenue Agency

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