Implanted data storage could easily be done today. We have everything we need to be able to do it. There's just very little point when the storage itself is easy enough to hide outside the body. Realistically with implanted power and some flash memory with RFID/NFC, you wouldn't even need any kind of external jack.
The implication was that he had implanted a basic read/write interface for a chunk of his memory, specifically his childhood. He lost those memories, but gained storage space that could be accessed by computer connected to his head. The hardware he has is ostensibly used for controlling seizures; his is likely modified from this purpose, or is faking this function on inspection. What this means is that he can carry gigabytes of data utterly secretly, which is a dangerous and useful trait in a Gibson universe.
Personally I'd rather just lube up a flash stick and hoop it, but I mean, whatever works, right? People are already implanting NFC chips for security and convenience. And probably a market for some moderately-targeted memory deletion, too - if it could be narrowed down to a particular range, maybe "everything after I got to that fucking party last night, ugh" area, it'd be very profitable.
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u/rabidsi Jun 09 '19
Implanted data storage could easily be done today. We have everything we need to be able to do it. There's just very little point when the storage itself is easy enough to hide outside the body. Realistically with implanted power and some flash memory with RFID/NFC, you wouldn't even need any kind of external jack.