National Identification- Where We're Headed

Tucson, AZ

I'm working on stuff related to the Real ID Rebellion this afternoon and have a couple of new posts up over there (including an information request- please surf on over and help out if you can). In the process, I've come across some related stuff that I'm not sure is directly enough on-topic over there, but I'd like to capture it anyway.

Florida
'Digital birth ID' stirs privacy debate

Imagine a virtual "thumbprint" that attaches your time and place of birth to your photo and iris scans — one of millions collected, warehoused and monitored by the watchful eye of Big Brother.

The technology is no longer just the stuff of science fiction. It's pretty much old news to tech-savvy security experts. Boring, even.

A defense contractor has proposed that the state assign a "digital birth certificate" to each of its 16 million residents, in what some experts say is the best way to protect privacy and others fear is an entrée into a dystopian future.

"It is as Orwellian as you imagine it to be, and should be frightening," said Oscar Gandy, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School of Communications who specializes in technology and public policy.

The proposal comes in response to a law quietly passed on the last day of this year's legislative session and signed by Gov. Jeb Bush...

The concept behind the certificate is simple, said Aull, a Northrop Grumman Mission Services distinguished technical fellow.

A government agency, such as the Florida Department of State, would issue a digital birth certificate that binds basic information — name, date and place of birth — and seals those to biometric identifiers such as fingerprints and iris scans.

The state agency would keep an individual's file confidential, making it available only when that person gives permission. The state also could use it to verify the identities of criminals.

Nigeria
FG to Upgrade National ID Card to Credit Card

FEDERAL Government yesterday unfolded plans to upgrade and expand the National Identity Card to a universal credit card system that could enable Nigerians make purchases without carrying cash.

The identification card which would carry more comprehensive security features, would also serve multiple purpose of being used as voters' card, driver's license, health insurance access and security access in any part of the world.

Federal Executive Council (FEC) considered the upgrading of the identity card project at its weekly meeting which lasted for over six hours. About 16 issues were discussed at the meeting.

By implication, the National Identity Card project conducted in 2002 may have been literally put on hold. Less than one-third of those captured under the exercise have been issued with the card.

President Olusegun Obasanjo who chaired the meeting, was said to have conceived the idea as a prelude to the introduction of a Consumer Credit Financing Scheme in the country in a bid to discourage the current cash-based economic system.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, told State House correspondents that the upgraded card would contain personal data of the holder such as blood group, tax payment profile and other information readable by a machine.

India
Preparations on for issuing national identity cards

The National Citizen Card will be multifunctional with a stress on security, apart from having details on medical, insurance and banking records of the individual. The super ID card is expected to take recourse to biometric devices such as digitised thumbprint and retina scans...

Interestingly, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, while still a Presidential nominee, had called for the making of a national citizen card. He had, in June 2002, asked Nasscom to come out with an identification card that could double as voter ID card, bank passbook and ration card. "The national citizen card has to be an integrated approach from multiple departments and industries," Dr Kalam had said.

Concern has been expressed over the use of biometric scanners that could lead to the creation of a detailed dossier on an individual's physical movements while passing from one scanner to the next.

Australia
Police state fears

I believe that a National ID card is a good opportunity to roll many cards into one. Tickets for public transport, driving licences, road toll e-tags, Medicare, ATM and credit cards could all be linked through one properly-designed card. If we rolled all our personal information into one card it would be easy for police to access information and know who they are dealing with by scanning their card and seeing their history. We definotely need this as a growing nation. It would be both helpful to normal people and law enforcement agencies.

- B Milosevic

and

It's common knowledget that no terrorists would stoop so low as to produce fradulent ID or hack a central ID database.

- Anonymous