Over 6,000 Swedes Embrace Microchip Implants for Digital Convenience
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that Sweden is emerging as a global leader in human–tech integration, with more than 6,000 people voluntarily implanting microchips in their hands to replace conventional items like ID cards, credit cards, transit passes, and even office keys.
OTN News further reports as gathered that the tiny implants, about the size of a grain of rice, use passive RFID or NFC technology and typically embedded between the thumb and index finger, when scanned by a reader, they can unlock doors, complete contactless payments, store medical or emergency information, and even link to digital business cards and apps.
OTN News recalls that the trend, which began gaining momentum around 2015, continues to expand, particularly among tech workers, early adopters, and biohacking enthusiasts.
OTN News further recalls that in 2024, the movement received a boost when about 150 employees at a Swedish tech innovation hub received implants to access workplace systems, highlighting a renewed wave of interest in blending physical and digital access.
Medical experts speaking on the new development, they noted that the implants are safe and biocompatible.
OTN News further observes that the mini tech contain no GPS functions and do not transmit data unless actively scanned at very close range. The procedure itself is quick and minimally invasive, typically carried out by trained professionals in controlled environments.
Despite their popularity, the implants have sparked debates over privacy, ethics, and the potential for surveillance with critics warning of the risks of normalizing such technology, while supporters argue that Sweden’s adoption remains entirely voluntary and driven by individual choice rather than government or corporate mandates.
OTN News, however, observes that with its growing community of more than 6,000 chip users, Sweden continues to showcase both the opportunities and limitations of living in a contactless, digital-first society.
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