Dear Siddhesh,
On 8/29/06, Siddhesh Poyarekar siddhesh.poyarekar@gmail.com wrote:
Actually my ration card example was for a reason. We could always use ration card numbers or PAN numbers for adults, but both have limited reach currently and again, it's no different from the SSN approach. To make this foolproof we need something that will not require user interaction. So instead of authentication by what user knows, we can authenticate by what the user has.
This is exactly the point we are trying to address.
1. There are too many IDs in existence. 2. There is no foolproof way of verifying/authenticating those IDs.
Imagine a couple of counters; one with a fingerprint reader and the other a form submission counter where you submit details similar to what you would for your ration card/passport. How fast can it process a single user? If it isn't very bad (say, 5 minutes per person) we can actually do this. It's reasonable if we can gather the data over the period of, say, two years.
It is too early to decide what will be the unique identifier and how to validate it.
I have few idea for much more simpler system. I will post those idea ASAP.
Infact once that is done everything can be based on one's fingerprint, even bank accounts, criminal records, etc. Procedures for everything else will speed up.
This purely depends on the universality and complexity of the system.
The down side is that identity theft will be absolutely gory; someone cutting off a thumb to get through for example.
This we can address in the security section of the manifesto.
Siddhesh
Thanks once again to all for point at the possible issues we may face as we go ahead. Keep your ideas coming. With regards,