VeriChip VeriCool...

The next time someone wants to argue with you over the viability and security of RFID and complain to you about our emerging 'surveillance society,' you might mention this news. The full report, courtesy of MoreRFID, is available here. Tell them, in fact, that thanks to this sort of RFID application, the chances that you'll go home with their kid from the hospital by mistake... heaven forbid... won't happen.

VeriChip Corporation, a subsidiary of Applied Digital, announced that its Hugs and HALO infant protection system has expanded its international distribution to Kuwait. YTD 2006 revenue now exceeds $4.0 million, which includes record Q1 sales of 40 new infant protection systems within North America and abroad.

Here's what they do:

Using wearable RFID tags placed on infants and mothers combined with electronic monitoring of exits, VeriChip's systems are designed to help protect newborns from possible abduction and to help ensure mothers are matched with the correct infants during their stay. The Hugs system offers security against infant abductions while requiring little administration and training. The HALO Infant Protection System utilizes patented skin-sensing tag technology and is modular in design allowing facilities to add functionality as needed.