Results: RFID and Identity Management in everyday life - ITAS

has two reasons; one is the business priority. The other is the fact that society and media tend to
explain the technology in a negative manner. Consequently Mr. Van Galen is very much aware that
opinions on the technology can change easily from positive to negative and that this can harm the
nightclub’s image [15].
The director of the Baja Beach Club in Barcelona has a different opinion on this. Chase says ‘the
objective of this technology is to bring an ID system to a global level that will destroy the need to
carry ID documents and credit cards. The VeriChip that we implant in the Baja will not only be for
the Baja, but is also useful for whatever other enterprise that makes use of this technology’. In
addition, a Rotterdam club promoter shares this view: ‘If the government offered this as a choice,
saying you can put your ID card, your social security card and your credit card away and just have
this, I'd sign immediately. I would not have to carry around my wallet. If I need to go to hospital,
even if I am unconscious, they could just scan and get my records’. Some regulars of the nightclub
are probably also in favour of expanding the applications. One of the VIP guests of the Baja Beach
Club Rotterdam, Steve van Soest says the following: 'The main benefit is that you can go out
without having to carry a wallet, which can get easily lost in a night club.’ […] 'It would be great if
this catches on and you could put all your personal details and medical records on it. If I was
involved in an accident, doctors could simply scan me and find out my blood group and any
allergies.' Other sources indicate that this person might also be a club spokesperson, so his opinion
might be skewed because of this. [12, 13, 14, 16].
Mr. Van Galen thinks the carriers regard the chip as a special gadget that supports the VIP
treatment in a positive way. Carriers value the fact that they do not have to show identification nor
have to handle money. This adds up to the feeling of being an appreciated guest of the club. He
also thinks this might be the reason why more men than women carry the chip; ‘women want to be
invited to the VIP area, whereas men want to invite women’ [15].
The club uses the system as an informal loyalty system, however the technology is not a keyinstrument
in this; it could also be done without, based on personal experiences with guests.
Regulars and ‘big-spenders’ get offers like first options to limited tickets, invitations to special nights
and Mr. Van Galen even mentioned offering a airplane ticket to a Spanish guest. Guests regard this
loyalty scheme as positive, according to our respondent [15].
Development the night club is looking into are the following:
1. Using a credit system
Mr. Van Galen thinks using a credit system, which involves the necessary linking the ID of the
chip directly to a bank account or credit card, has both advantages and disadvantages. An
advantage could be that a guest would never have to hand over any cash or bankcard. This
could enhance the feeling of exclusiveness. A disadvantage could be that it does not ‘protect’ a
guest from spending more than intended, since there is no maximum amount to spend.
Furthermore, it involves issues of privacy and safety.
2. Chipping personnel
Currently, personnel of the nightclub carry tokens with chips in them. This way they can enter
through a personnel entrance. However, the token could be transferred to another person. The
implant could have a big advantage there, since it cannot be transferred nor lost be the carrier.
Mr. Van Galen says not to have the intention to use it as time-registration.
3. Expanding to more clubs in Europe and linking VIP guests European-wide
Mr. Van Galen is in favour of the application expanding to other nightclubs. He envisions a
‘chippers-community’ in which VIP Chip carriers from different nightclubs can meet (in person
or virtual) and in which they can use their status in associated clubs.
4. A more ‘aesthetic’ way of scanning guests
Mr. Van Galen is not satisfied with the scanning process as it is right now. The scanner needs
to be put very close to the chip and thus to the carriers’ arm. Reading chips from a greater
distance would be a solution, but it is impossible to enlarge the chip antenna. Getting bigger
readers would be an option, but it is unclear whether this would work in practice [15].
ID issue Most controversy on this RFID application is about implanting a chip in the human body. Main issue
is the violating of one’s personal integrity. Also, some belief it is ‘the mark of the beast’. On the
other hand, implanting the VIP Chip is done out of free will and having such an implant is not a
43