Radio Frequency Identification Chips (RFID)

In recent years, the debate on the use of subcutaneous chips has intensified. These are small electronic devices, the size of a rice grain, that can be implanted under the skin to monitor or intervene in certain pathologies. As with any new product, along with the opportunities this technology offers, several concerns arise related to its safety and privacy.

- Purpose of these devices:
Initially, the development of these devices was favored in the medical field, designed to analyze biochemical data from our body and then transmit them in digital format, in order to facilitate the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases. The chips can analyze blood glucose levels (useful for diabetic patients), but also detect body temperature, blood pressure, electrolyte hormones, blood oxygen levels, and heart rate. Furthermore, always on the input level, subcutaneous chips can also be used to track the intake of medications or substances such as alcohol, nicotine, and drugs. Some devices also offer advanced food tracking functionality, which can help people maintain a balanced diet and avoid allergens or foods that can cause intolerances or adverse reactions. They can obviously also be used as a kind of "database", containing information about patients' health status, such as exams performed, medications taken, medical history, and multiple clinical records. In this way, doctors can have a series of essential data already available to provide personalized and precise care. The union of these functions makes it easier to detect the most diverse diseases, with the hope that in the future, such tools can also monitor specific tumor markers, for which early diagnosis is essential. It should be noted that, although very different in size and function, there are already other types of devices that are surgically implanted in the body, such as pacemakers, an essential tool for those who suffer from bradycardia, tachycardia, or atrioventricular blocks, which sends an electric pulse automatically through a small generator of electrical impulses to make the heart beat, bringing it back to its regular rhythm. Examples of devices implanted similarly to subcutaneous chips include cochlear implants, used to improve hearing in patients with hearing disorders, as well as deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices, used to treat Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders.

- Electronic and information security:
Recent uses of subcutaneous chips, even in non-medical contexts, have raised numerous doubts, adding to the previously exposed problems, those related to the purpose of their new applications, particularly regarding their safety from an electronic and information point of view. Despite the potential advantage in terms of constant monitoring of daily activities (such as payments with a credit card or the possibility of providing documents without the possession of external paper or electronic format), the risk of hacking and unauthorized access to personal data poses a threat. In fact, cybersecurity breaches can lead to theft of money, unauthorized transactions, or the spread of sensitive and confidential data, such as patient identity and health information, which can be used for fraudulent purposes. These concerns have become a reality in many cases, such as cyber attacks against hospital facilities that have compromised patients' privacy. Regarding information security, there are regulations and standards that regulate the use of personal data, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that sets criteria for protecting and securing sensitive data. Therefore, it is evident that such regulations need to be incorporated into the production and operational standard.

- Use of subcutaneous chips as consumerist trend:
Using subcutaneous chips to extreme "human automation" and perform as many "wireless" operations as possible (such as turning on lights, appliances, or your car with only the proximity of the body area where the transmitter chip has been implanted) is another phenomenon that has recently come to the fore. Beyond the fact that whether the use of these technologies beyond the medical or practical purpose for which they were designed may or may not indicate, individually, a marked dependence on technology (an already widespread phenomenon and certainly not related to objects that are not even directly visible), the issue of companies that could promote their installation, essentially favoring, for commercial purposes, only some categories of consumers and discriminating against others, should be avoided. It is therefore important that the reference regulations promote the individual's self-determination, ensuring freedom of choice in deciding whether or not to use these technologies, without discrimination or restrictions, as already happens with other electronic devices for daily use (such as paying with the banking application installed on the phone or connecting it to various domestic assistants already present). However, the principle of maximum that technology should not only be used for fashion or aesthetic reasons but must offer a concrete contribution and a constructive contribution to improving daily life.

- Regulations for the production, marketing, installation, and replacement of subcutaneous chips:
Regarding the production, marketing, and installation of subcutaneous chips, there are strict regulations and standards that regulate the market. Chip manufacturers are required to comply with a series of mandatory requirements, including safety, reliability, and biocompatibility. In Italy, the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) is the main quality control authority for medical devices, including such products, being considered by law medical implants in all respects. Accordingly, the production, marketing of subcutaneous chips is subject to various restrictions: for example, they can only be sold to healthcare facilities and medical institutes authorized by the Ministry of Health. Even the procedure for installing the device is complex and requires the expertise of qualified personnel. Technically, a subcutaneous chip, having a millimetric diameter, is inserted under the skin through a simple injection, but the operation must be performed by a surgeon or a doctor who can guarantee correct and safe implantation and should not be a "gadget from an improvised tattoo artist" (i.e., not possessing the required legal requirements). In any case, these technological tools must be produced safely and in compliance with current regulations, such as the UNI CEI ISO 14971 standard, which sets criteria for the safety of implantable medical devices. Indeed, safety is a crucial factor in this area, from verifying whether the materials used in the production of such implants are biocompatible, to any subsequent problems, such as degradation and possible infections. Since they are effectively located within our body, it is necessary that the materials used are completely compatible and capable of not causing damage or allergic reactions, in addition to considering problems arising from their biodegradability. In this regard, there are numerous regulations - such as ISO 10993 - that establish criteria for the biocompatibility of medical devices, including subcutaneous chips.

- Duration of a subcutaneous chip:
A subcutaneous processor for specific purposes typically has a lifespan of a few years, but many devices have been designed to remain in the implant position for the entire time necessary for their purpose. It should be noted that if it malfunctions or if you want to remove it for medical or personal reasons, it should be possible to extract it safely and always have it removed by a qualified healthcare professional. Due to the temporal novelty of their introduction, there is no precise answer to this day on what may happen if an "expired" device is left inside the body. There are no scientific reports demonstrating whether or how the materials it is composed of can enter the body's bloodstream, causing health problems. In general, as with any electronic body inserted into the human body, there may always be a risk of complications in case of malfunction or degradation of the same, in addition to the fact that, containing by its nature metallic materials, there is a possibility that any fragments can break off and migrate to other parts of the body. Events that, as mentioned before, have not been found so far and require mandatory research in this area. Again, chip removal must be carried out by a specialized healthcare professional, in an authorized structure, and in compliance with local health and safety regulations and guidelines.