German cabinet approves new citizenship test and ID cards
Published: 23 Jul 08 12:01 CET
Online:
http://www.thelocal.de/13239/The German cabinet gave the green light on the planned citizenship test for immigrants and new national identification cards on Wednesday.
The new identification cards, set for use in 2010, will ease commerce for internet sales and make bank transfers and bureaucratic affairs run more smoothly. A digital fingerprint saved to the card will be optional, though a digital photo will be required for all German residents older than 16.
from mp.net
The option for the "no fingerprint"-version is pretty much a farce. For example later at a airport there will be two terminals here - One where you get through within a few minutes since you have the fingerprint and just get your finger scanned - on the other one there will be a goverment worker checking anyone separately which obviously takes much longer. The other thing is that your Card will not be totally secure from theft/misuse without your fingerprint, the agency clearly advises you to add the two fingerprints to protect yourself from identity theft...
The other thing is, once someone """steals""" the code of your fingerprint, it's stolen for good since you obviously can't get a new one. And it's already clear that in the future you will pay more and more simply with your fingerprint. It even get's better: Imagine someone duplicating your fingerprint and leaving a item with it attached at a crime scene. The police let it run through its computer and will be at your door.
This will be nice for the goverment and criminals. Everything on a RFID-Card. The card will be madatory, with optional additions such as the "secure online-trade"-thing for everyone Age 16+, first Cards will be handed out in 2 years.
