Mexican Officials Get Anti-Kidnap Microchips
By Jo Tuckman
The attorney general did not seem particularly concerned about getting his arm chopped off in consequence, perhaps because he already believes he is risking his life.
Two weeks ago hundreds of thousands of people marched through the capital demanding more action to bring down rampant levels of kidnapping and other violent crime and the new information centre is part of the government's efforts to show it is responding to public concern.
The primary function of the chip, Mr Macedo said, was to control access to the centre in order to reduce the risk of sensitive information being leaked to criminal gangs. Widespread corruption is considered the main reason why many victims do not report crimes, particularly kidnapping, which further complicates the task of combating the phenomenon.
In remarks taken to mean that he himself could be kidnapped, Mr. Macedo also said that in his case the chip would have the added benefit of ensuring he could be "found wherever I am".
Anti-kidnap microchips are already part of crime mythology in Mexico, where international security firms estimate there are as many as 3,000 kidnapping cases a year.
Max Morales, a private lawyer who advises families negotiating with kidnappers, said many people believe such chips are already generally available in Mexico, which is not the case and is unlikely to be so for some time.
One consequence of this, he said, was the emergence of a gang nicknamed "el chip" for its habit of stripping its victims and violently demanding to know where on their body they have a locating device.
Mr Morales stressed that such threats of mutilation mean that if chips do go on the market in the future the worst thing a wearer could do is advertise the fact - as the attorney general had just done.
"It is very dangerous to go around showing off about it," he said. "Chips would require absolute confidentiality." ( Be proud to have your chip, but mums the word)
Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004
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