Three Square Market To Implant RFID Chips In Employees

Three Square Market (32M) announced news on Monday (July 24) that it is offering the ability for its employees to be implanted with a RFID chip to make payments and other things.

In a press release, the company said on August 1, 2017, employees can have a chip implanted in them through a optional program. In addition to making purchases, the chip will enable employees to open doors, login to computers, use the copy machine, etc. Three Square Market said in the release it is expecting over 50 staff members to be voluntarily chipped and that it is partnering with BioHax International and Jowan Osterlund, CEO, based out of Sweden for the endeavor.

RFID technology or Radio-Frequency Identification uses electromagnetic fields to identify electronically stored information. Often referred to as “chip” technology, this option has become very popular in the European marketplace, said 32M in the release. The chip implant uses near-field communications (NFC), the same technology used in contactless credit cards and mobile payments. A chip is implanted between the thumb and forefinger underneath the skin within seconds.

“We foresee the use of RFID technology to drive everything from making purchases in our office break room market, opening doors, use of copy machines, logging into our office computers, unlocking phones, sharing business cards, storing medical/health information and used as payment at other RFID terminals.  Eventually, this technology will become standardized, allowing you to use this as your passport, public transit, all purchasing opportunities, etc.,” commented 32M CEO, Todd Westby.

A micro market, also known as a break room market, has become a staple in the U.S., with over 20,000 locations and growing. While in existence for over a decade in the American workplace, the international community began to embrace this only a few years ago.

A micro market is a mini convenience store located right in the employee break room using a self-checkout kiosk, similar to what is found at many major retailers.  Businesses see multiple benefits when adding a micro market to their location, such as increased employee morale and productivity. Three Square Market entered this industry over four years ago and is rapidly growing in market share. The company believes this technology will help it continue this trajectory, 32M noted in the press release.