RegardingID Archive | Israelis debate biometric ID cards

Friday, March 13, 2009

Israeli citizens are debating whether biometric identity cards are a good idea or not, according to a Haaretz.com news report.

The Israeli legislature passed the law last October, days before dissolving for the elections. The legislation requires the state to collect the fingerprints of both index fingers from every resident of the country, along with a standard photograph.

Much of the reluctance is that the identity program would establishing a centralized database with biometric data on every citizen and legal resident of the country.

The government says the new card are needed because the current ones are too easy to forge. Human rights groups oppose the law, fearing that the data would not be properly protected and leak on to the Internet.

Read the full story here.

After long delays, Algeria launches biometric passports

After a nearly three-year delay, the Algerian government has finally launched its biometric passport program.

Magharebia reports that the biometric passports, which contain a contactless smart card chip that holds a digitized photo, fingerprints and signature, were supposed to be released in 2009. But the documents were delayed due to complexities with the operation of the project and the need to thoroughly research and analyze other countries’ experiences with biometric passports.

Australian council debating library biometric system use

The Monash City Council in Australia has seen recent controversy revolving around new biometric systems at local schools and libraries and is set to debate the decision to use finger vein scanners to track library staff’s payroll, according to a Waverly Leader article.

UK to start using biometric residence permits

The UK Border Agency has announced intentions to require applicants applying for six-month stays from outside the European Economic Area to use biometric residency permits starting at the end of February 2012, according to an HR Magazine article.

Jakarta airport opens biometric immigration gate

In an effort to streamline passenger security, Jakarta, Indonesia’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport has opened the country’s first biometric immigration gate.

Fingerprint biometric identification provider BIO-key International, Inc. and Oakwell Engineering Limited partnered to create the new gate, designed for use by passengers with electronic passports. Passengers submit their e-passports and authenticate with a fingerprint.

Israeli database breach raises fears over security of other national databases

The news that Israeli authorities arrested the man they believe was behind the 2006 theft and subsequent leaking of the biometric and biographical data of up to 9 million Israelis contained on their national database has renewed worry of similar issues coming up in other countries where biometric databases continue to grow, according to a Fast Company article.

Malaysia to forego biometrics for upcoming election

The Malaysian Election Commission has decided to forego the use of the biometric voter verification system for the country’s upcoming elections, according to an article form The Star.

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Israelis debate biometric ID cards