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posted by janrinok on Tuesday June 19 2018, @01:54PM   Printer-friendly
from the oblig-xkcd-644 dept.

Australian Broadcast Corporation follows-up on a 3 months old story:

Biohacker Meow-Ludo Disco Gamma Meow-Meow who was fined for implanting an Opal Card chip into his hand has had his conviction overturned. [...] Mr Meow-Meow appealed against the conviction in the District Court and today it was quashed. District court judge Dina Yehia took into account his good character, while describing the case as "highly unusual ... involving a unique set of circumstances."

[...] She said that, while there were legal issues of general deterrence, she was of the view that the objective seriousness of the offence fell towards the lower end of the range, if not the bottom.

The previous story offers the context:

Meow-Ludo Disco Gamma Meow-Meow, 33, surgically implanted an Opal Card chip into his hand last year, so that he could swipe on and off without using a card. Transport authorities charged him for using public transport without a valid ticket and for not producing a ticket to transport officers. Mr Meow-Meow pleaded guilty to both offences at Newtown Local Court. He was fined $220 for breaching the Opal Card terms of use and was ordered to pay $1,000 in legal costs.

The lawyer representing Mr Meow Meow argued that transport legislation had advanced to include methods of contactless payment through MasterCard and some smart phones. He said that the law should adapt to all available technologies including implantable tech. But Magistrate Michael Quinn said, while the legislation may catch up with technology in the future, the law of the day must be followed.

Outside court, Mr Meow Meow said he was disappointed both offences were not dismissed and that he was ordered to pay legal costs. Despite the decision, Mr Meow Meow said he would continue to experiment with implanted technology. He said he was planning to push the boundary even further, replacing his Opal chip with one that will hold all of his personal information, including credit cards and memberships.

Why wait until the govt chips you when you can use your freedom and DIY? (large grin)


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  • (Score: 2, Insightful) by Farmer Tim on Tuesday June 19 2018, @09:08PM (1 child)

    by Farmer Tim (6490) on Tuesday June 19 2018, @09:08PM (#695295)
    To answer the first question, a smartphone (or Opal card, and I have two of those, both topped up with cash so they aren’t linked to me in any database) can be easily switched off or left somewhere should the need arise, an implant can’t. A wearable like a bracelet or ring has similar convenience, but doesn’t need to be surgically implanted or removed when the system gets changed as they do every few years, and doesn’t come with the risk of infection or other complications. Yes, it’s his body, that doesn’t mean I have to respect what he does with it, especially when he has admitted to me he really didn’t consider privacy versus convenience (which to me isn’t a desirable trait in someone running for public office).

    On the second point, I think you misinterpreted me. While I think finding an end to aging is unlikely, there would be enormous side benefits from the research...if this is a party’s most questionable policy, they’re a pretty good party IMO.
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  • (Score: 2) by takyon on Tuesday June 19 2018, @09:48PM

    by takyon (881) <reversethis-{gro ... s} {ta} {noykat}> on Tuesday June 19 2018, @09:48PM (#695309) Journal

    Fair enough, it is not a very sophisticated hack. It seems like his future plans would allow the thing to be turned off/updated.

    He said he was planning to push the boundary even further, replacing his Opal chip with one that will hold all of his personal information, including credit cards and memberships.

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