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Estonia Tests "Contactless" ID-Cards

Posted by timothy on from the man-exists-for-the-state dept.

borkee writes "Estonian MEAC and CMB start testing a new version of a national ID card containing what they call 'contactless' extensions. Although they do not specifically disclose to us, taxpayers, what technology is used there, it must be quite obvious that it's nothing less than RFID. Add to this, they'll have person's biometrics in memory. (Security gurus of course know: biometrics just don't work.) Soon you can track us poor Estonians by our GSM phones and by our ID cards too!"

2 of 251 comments (clear)

  1. Info on Biometrics not being safe ? by acebone · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Where can I read about biometrics not being safe ?

    That's very interesting, and I've never heard about it before. I mean surely the pattern in your eyes and your fingerprints are unique and does not change, no ?

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  2. Re:national id cards... all countries have them by trout_fish · · Score: 5, Insightful

    A passport is not the same as a national ID card. No one is required to hold a passport, so can refuse to show it, or pretend that they do not have one. The same goes for driving licenses.

    A compulsory national ID card is very different. You cannot claim not to have it, and hence can be required to produce it - even if that requirement is not immediate.