| Date | May 2019 | Marks available | 2 | Reference code | 19M.2.SL.TZ0.2 |
| Level | SL | Paper | 2 (model questions) | Time zone | no time zone |
| Command term | Suggest | Question number | 2 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
RESOURCE BOOKLET: Implanted microchips
Source A: Graphic
Source B: Series of message posts
Posts from award-winning tech influencer and blogger @richtech
Source C: Article – Bans on microchipping employees
Many countries are passing laws that prohibit companies from requiring employees to have a device such as microchip or radio frequency identification device (RFID) tag implanted into their bodies as a condition of employment.
Employees can still be microchipped if they volunteer to do so. Tech4All, a technology company, has microchipped more than 50 of its employees. The company claims the microchips help people to open building doors, access their computers, and pay for items in the company restaurant.
It takes 40–60 days for the chip to settle under the skin. During this period, it can itch, and scratching is discouraged as it could dislodge the chip. The chips are relatively durable and will handle most bumps, but extreme pressure has been known to shatter them. The chips do not heat up or explode when anywhere near airport security scanners, but they may fail after a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
Source D
Biohacking is the next stage in human evolution. Biohackers can optimize their bodies with a combination of gadgets, microchip implants, diets, or anything else they can put into their body to make it work better. The use of microchip implants is also an extension of the concept of the Internet of Things (IoT). By 2030, it is estimated that there will be more than 75 billion connected devices.
Microchips have been used in pets as form of identification to quickly reunite owners with lost or injured pets. Now, microchipping is being considered for the tracking of individuals like the elderly, those with memory loss, and prisoners.
Supporters of microchip implants say they are safe and can be protected from being hacked. However, there are privacy concerns about the data transmitted from or stored on the microchip. These concerns go beyond those associated with location tracking.
With reference to Source B, suggest one way how technology companies use influencers to promote their products.
With reference to Source B, suggest one reason why technology companies work with influencers to promote their products.
Markscheme
Answers may include:
- Providing the influencer with the product for free, so that the influencer agrees to post about the product on social media sites.
- Tech companies use social media data to find influencers who will target their market. That way, the influencer’s message is focused on their specific market.
Award [1] for way how technology companies use influencers to promote their products and [1] for a development of that reason up to [2] marks.
Answers may include:
- It is more cost effective than target advertising, as the company can select the tech influencer by their follower demographic.
- Influencers are viewed as experts, so followers will trust endorsements and product mentions.
- Influencer content may be a personal narrative, which helps differentiate posts from the type of features- or sales-driven ones a brand might do for the same product on their own feed.
Award [1] for one reason why technology companies work with influencers to promote their products and [1] for the development of that reason up to [2] marks.
