[Reader-list] Universal ID: Going beyond smart cards & databases- 186

[Taha Mehmood]

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Universal-ID-Going-beyond-smart-cards-databases/articleshow/4856509.cms

Universal ID: Going beyond smart cards & databases

4 Aug 2009, 1635 hrs IST, S Sadagopan,


The June 2009 announcement of the appointment of Nandan Nilekani,
cofounder of Infosys, as the head of UIDAI (Universal ID Authority of
India)
Nandan

What is missed out in the initial reactions is the larger issue
involved. The government must be congratulated in correctly terming
the office as “Universal ID Authority of India”. The terms “universal
ID” “identification” and “authority” are very pertinent.

In recent years, many government departments have independently
started issuing IDs to citizens of India, primarily to suit their
interaction with the citizens. The home ministry through passport to
track their travel in and out of the country. The income-tax
department through PAN (permanent account number) to track income and
expenses for the purpose of taxation. The Election Commission through
their voter identity card. There are also ration cards, BPL card for
poor families, driving licence and gas connection certificate

Common among all these experiments is the “limited purpose” of the
intended use; no sharing of information among the agencies of the
government. The UIDAI goes beyond “identity cards” to the very
“identity” itself. It is important to evolve“architecture” of an
identification system than the identity itself.

First, being “universal” in nature it is best to have a system that
can accommodate citizens, permanent residents and visitors, though the
system might focus on citizens first.

Second, it must be prospective in the sense that on the day when the
system comes into force there is an enabling mechanism to put the
system into action; in that sense it may be better to design a system
that might start functioning 20 or 25 years from now, but with the
guarantee that the eco-system to support such a system will be in
place, rather than rushing through with one system or another.

Third, it must have system to take care of normal accidents — users
losing an identity proof, users changing their status — location, job,
marital status, getting children, acquiring property, occupying
special position such as member of the parliament, prime minister of
the country, and even special cases — facing disability, liquidation,
criminal proceedings, change of name or sex.

Fourth, there must be a system of incorporating changes and
re-issuance of identity proof that is easy, affordable and hassle-free
, and yet making it rather difficult for end users with malicious
purposes to do “identity theft” . Fifth, the identity system must have
natural start and end points; for example, an identity system may
start at the time of birth and accordingly it must be captured along
with the birth of the child anywhere in the country; alternately, the
identity proof issuance may happen at a specific age or at a specific
stage — for example at the age of 18 — on acquiring the right to vote.

Sixth, there must be a system that “links up” the identity, say of two
individuals at the time of marriage, children’s identity getting
linked to parents with a provision that such linkages may have to be
re-established during special circumstances (divorce, adoption in case
of children).

Finally, the system must form the foundation for many identity proofs
— passport, PAN, driving licence, voter identity card — and be able to
keep the linkages intact and secure (ability to link all identity
proofs, for example, all passports issued, all linked passports
(spouse, children, parents), drivers licences issued at different
places , voter identities issued.

Ultimately, the identity system must address all possible end uses of
identity proof, for example, access to social benefits — pension,
social security, subsidies, if any, and, insurance; right to vote,
right to drive, right to drink, right to acquire property, right to
job, help government to track — taxes, travel out of country,
movements in case of bail, and, help citizens in getting services —
bank account
, BPL card, senior citizens benefits, healthcare, education.

(The author is director, IIIT Bangalore)