[Reader-list] News Items posted on the net on Multipurpose National Identity Cards-88

[Taha Mehmood]

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Govt-To-Get-Smart-On-Identity-Cards-With-Digital-Signatures/78807/

Govt To Get Smart On Identity Cards With Digital Signatures

Posted: 2003-04-14 00:00:00+05:30 IST
Updated: Apr 14, 2003 at 0000 hrs IST

New Delhi:: To make the national identification system foolproof, the
Indian government plans to use embedded digital signature technology
in all national identity cards to be distributed to citizens. The
technology will eliminate the risk of counterfeit cards.

The ministry of home affairs is currently implementing a pilot project
to distribute smart card-based national identity cards to every
citizen. This card will carry relevant information like the holder's
personal information, photograph, fingerprint, etc and will be useful
as a measure of identification.

"The digital signatures once embedded on a smart card will make it
almost impossible to develop an identical fake card. The technology
will facilitate the cards to be authenticated easily by matching the
signature with a small device," controller of certifying authorities
KN Gupta told eFE.

Mr Gupta said that his office is in touch with the home ministry and
is working towards inclusion of digital signatures on national
identity cards. No final decision has been taken as yet, he added.

The issuing authority can mark its digital signature on each card so
that the same can be used for authentication whenever required. In
case the national identity card is used as a multipurpose card for use
as a driving licence or for health records, multiple authorities can
mark their respective digital signatures.

The national identity cards can also be used to carry personal digital
signature by the citizen. "In fact, the Malaysian government is
already implementing a similar project under which multipurpose cards
are being issued to citizens," said Mr Gupta.

The Malaysian government's national registration department, which is
responsible for distributing paper-based identity cards, is working
with a consortium of 24 financial institutions — that have come
together to form a Malaysian Electronic Payment System — to execute
the multipurpose card project.

The new card replaces the Malaysian national identity card currently a
paper document issued to every Malaysian citizen over the age of 12
years. The card also replaces the driving licence and carries passport
information. The cardholder can use the card to pass through automatic
gates at airport immigration. The card can also be used for
non-government applications like e-purse (debit card), automated
teller machine (ATM) card and a digital signature card.