Starting from January: Israel will issue smart ID cards

Technology Committee of the Knesset, together with the Internal Affairs and Constitutional Committee, today confirmed the initial regulations to carry out active biometric database in Israel.

Following the decision starting from January 2013 the state will begin to run a pilot program in which for the first time smart ID cards will be issued in Israel, based on biometric data.

Every citizen who chooses to participate in the pilot will give of his own free will two index fingers and face prints, in order to receive a 'smart identity card. The pilot will run for two years, until the end of 2014, in which the various authorities will examine the failures and security threats produced following the issue of the smart identity cards.

At the end of the test period a summary report will be given on the biometric database efficiency, effectiveness against other alternatives, the degree of security and more.

Following the many dangers inherent in the biometric database, the Knesset committee decided to limit the participation of minors under the age of 16 from the pilot, in order to protect their privacy.

Participation in the pilot will not be offered to minors up to age 16, or their representative, unless they filed a request for a passport.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!