Digital National ID Cards
The South Korean government recently announced that it plans to issue digital versions of national identification cards next year. Citizens will be able to carry around their ID cards in their smartphones, and these digital versions will have the same legal status as the traditional plastic ID cards.This decision reflects the social trend of going “wallet-less” as many people already use digital versions of credit cards and other official documents on their smartphones. Some people believe that this will provide many advantages. However, there are those who disagree.Supporters of digital ID cards claim that they will provide more convenience for people. It won’t be necessary to carry around a physical ID card that could get lost or stolen. Furthermore, users can integrate their digital ID cards with services such as online banking or e-commerce, allowing seamless transactions.These people also argue that digital ID cards on smartphones can provide a much higher level of security. Most smartphones have biometric authentication systems such as fingerprint or facial recognition, which are difficult to hack. This, they say, can prevent others from unauthorized access and potential misuse of an individual’s personal ID.Naysayers contend that digital ID cards still pose security risks because not all users will properly implement security features. So, there is a risk of unauthorized access to their ID cards if the phone is lost or stolen. This could lead to identity theft or the exploitation of personal information.In addition, these people say that users may not always be able to access their digital ID cards on their smartphones due to technical issues. Phones are often susceptible to software bugs or hardware malfunctions. Moreover, they say a digital ID card is useless if the phone’s battery is completely drained.
Questions:1. Why is the South Korean government planning to issue digital versions of national identification cards?2. What are the advantages of using digital ID cards on smartphones, according to the supporters of this initiative?3. What are the security concerns raised by the naysayers regarding digital ID cards on smartphones?4. What potential issues may arise with accessing digital ID cards on smartphones, as mentioned in the article?5. What are the potential benefits of using digital ID cards on smartphones in addition to the ones mentioned in the article? How do you think the government can ensure that citizens properly implement security features on their smartphones to protect their digital ID cards?
