Software company implants microchips in employees' hands

RIVER FALLS, WISCONSIN — A tech firm in Wisconsin is about to become the first company in the U.S. to give microchip implants to its employees.

Three Square Market, which designs software for vending machines, said more than 50 of its workers have volunteered to have the devices fitted, ABC affiliate KSTP reported.

The microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and will be inserted into the skin between the thumb and forefinger. The technology will allow workers to access the building and logon to their computers. Employees can also use the chips to buy food-like products from office vending machines.

The purveyors of this dystopian technology claim there is no GPS function and it won't be used to keep tabs on employees. However, we can't help but feel like we're sleepwalking into a future where even the blandest details of our lives are recorded, possibly to be used against us at a later date.

The company says none of its employees are required to get a chip implant.