Interior Minister Erdan pushes for biometric system
Before leaving the Interior Ministry ahead of the formation of the new government, Likud minister announces every Israeli citizen will be required to join biometric identification system.
Erdan submitted a report on the Biometric Management Database Authority to Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein and Cabinet Secretary Avichai Mandelblit.
According to the Interior Ministry, 630,000 citizens have so far joined the system voluntarily during the trial period and were issued identity cards and biometric passports.
The report includes an assessment of the need for smart biometric identification and addresses the dangers of identity theft and the extent of damage caused by it. The report examines various alternatives to a biometric system and other security configurations, and draws comparisons between the proposed system to other biometric systems accepted in the field worldwide.
Erdan said the biometric system will be able to strike a proper balance between a citizen's right to privacy and the ability to cope with impersonation and stolen identities.
He noted only a limited amount of biometric data will be used in the authentication and identification process – a picture of the face and fingerprints from only two index fingers. This data will be attached to a serial number without including any biographical data.
Seeking to provide assurances amid widespread hesitation that the data could be stolen, Erdan said the system is built on a different network that is not connected in any way - physically or wirelessly - to other networks, and includes advanced measures to ensure a high level of security.
The interior minister said he has come to the unequivocal conclusion the system was needed and has recommended the law be implemented for all citizens gradually over a period of several years.
"We must fight attempts by terrorists and criminals to forge the identity of citizens," said Erdan.
