Israel makes another run at biometric ID

Israel is having a go at a biometrically enabled ID document system. Participation is voluntary, for now. It's also worth noting that this isn't the first time biometrics have come up in a discussion of Israeli ID, but at least this time the biometrics part belongs there.

Sa'ar: No reason to panic over biometric database (Ynetnews)

After countless discussions, delays, objections, Israel launches database enabling smart identity cards. Interior minister says system meets 'highest standards of data protection preventing identity theft.' Labor's Yachimovich: Experiment on humans

Wow, that is some strong talk from Shelly Yachimovich. See also...

Yachimovich Opposes Biometric Database (Arutz Sheva)


Long-delayed biometric database pilot program gets underway (The Times of Israel)

Residents of the central Israeli town of Rishon Lezion were invited to trade in their current Israeli identity cards for a new “smart card” that will digitally encode not only their personal information, but also their fingerprints, photo, and facial profile (the contours and other details of the face). The government will study the results of the voluntary pilot program, searching out glitches and problems in the system before it becomes mandatory — according to plans, in two years.

Pilot begins for Israel's National Biometric Database program (+972)

The government claimed that the database is needed in order to prevent the forging of Israeli ID cards and passports. However, critics point to the fact that the government could issue “Smart IDs,” which themselves store biometric data, without keeping the personal records in one national database.