Implications of User Identification Devices (UIDS) for the United States Navy

摘要

Various technologies are emerging to provide enhanced, automated personnel identification capabilities. Techniques for human microchip implants using radio frequency identification are possible, but the implications of this technology remain to be considered. This thesis provides a survey of current technologies for enhanced user identification, focusing on human implant approaches, and to summarize the set of security, privacy, social and ethical issues that may arise from the use of these technologies in the U.S. Navy. Technical background is presented to provide the reader with a basic understanding of radio frequency technology. An analysis of human implant technologies currently used in the private sector is provided to show how they might offer capabilities in the military. Applications of information technology and human microchip implants that may improve user identification in the future are presented and analyzed. Finally, a review of the social and ethical implications of human implant-based user identification is provided. It shows that the collateral social issues are complex and far-reaching, and need to be carefully considered by the Navy to avoid becoming entangled in intractable technical, morale and legal issues far into the future. The results of this exploratory thesis show: 1) implementation of advanced information technology devices must be carefully balanced against human social and ethical considerations, and 2) there is a valid need for future research and analysis of human microchip implants.