Swedish commuters are now using microchips to pay for their journey, and it raises concerns
SJ Rail, a Swedish rail operator, has implemented a system in which its customers can now pay for their journeys with the help of implanted microchips, Daily Mail reports.
The company claims that around 100 of its customers are using a system in which microchips that are implanted in their hands allow them to pay for their journeys. Although microchips are not a new technology to Sweden, with an estimated 20,000 people using them to enter their offices and even pay for food, concerns are still raised on whether the collected data can be used to track people.
Moreover, the project has also had several flaws, such as the fact that rail staff would sometimes be shown a passenger’s LinkedIn profile instead of their ticket information. The issue was solved very quickly, though.
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”SJ is already one of Sweden‘s most digital companies, so this new project could be started up very quickly. The microchip ticket is a good example of how we are happy to try out new ideas alongside customers and help to force the pace of digital development,” said Peter Dahlqvist, Head of SJ Business Sales.
SJ Rail is not offering to microchip people, and its passengers already need to have the technology implanted in order to benefit from the contactless payment system. It is currently available only in Sweden.
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