Everyone has heard about the new ID/Resident cards. You know, the scheme towards e-government. Apparently, the new ID cards could be used as, of course, National ID, driver's license, e-gates facility at seeb airport and as a credit card. The thing that links all of these together is ... the civil number. Basically, that's YOUR unique ID, where government authorities can track your records, where all social security benefits are put in etc etc. It can only be accessed by Authorized Government officials.

Let's say you went to some foreign exchange center, to exchange money. Sometimes, they will ask for a form of ID. The only official ID you have in hand, is the ID card (where it has your civil number).
You also go apply for, lets say, a bank account. They will require a copy of your ID. And much more examples..

Therefore, these people have your civil number.. what's the security in this? Can't they know your detailed background? Let's say they knew people in the Government who CAN access the ID database.

How can this prevent Identity Theft?


Waiting for your responses :)

Therefore, these people have your civil number.. what's the security in this?

How can this prevent Identity Theft?

But isnt the civil number the same as the ID number in the old ID cards? So the security sense about this has been there since very long time ago. And in lots parts of the world. They use the same type of system of having a unique number to each person. Now if people abuse their privileges to reveal information about people that would be something else.

What do you mean by identity theft? Can you elaborate with an example...

If someone has nothing to hide, and are following all the civil rules .. I dont think think those ID cards would beach his privacy ..

I am not sure of the information associated with the card. But, I dont think we can call it that big privacy!

Then for the places which have access to the information, I think whatever they can view is limited to what their job needs.

By the end, the problem is not with the system, its more to the people who have been given the access, abusing the system can be found everywhere!
To prevent the abusers, you should have a monitor on the system.

But isnt the civil number the same as the ID number in the old ID cards?

the numbers arent same but the concept still remains the same that even before we had to give out ID cards for those stuff and it was the exect same security alert.

P.S. ROP still not accepting the lisence on the new Civil Card

I thing Nightface got my point. It's about the people, and not the system. How "trustworthy" are the people in these matters. Maybe we should use a different system which separates the "civil background" and ID. Take the US for example, they've got the driver's license and state ID as one form of ID, while the social security card is separate. The Social Security card has a unique number where ONLY designated and authorized people are allowed to have it! Not when doing daily transactions!

They should have a separate card which has THAT CIVIL number, and a card where its used SOLELY for ID purposes! It's not that I don't trust the authorities, it's just that maybe some freak just got fused up and wants to check at someone's background by punching in their civil number. I personally don't know how the system works in Oman, but this is one drawback. Other than that, I'm looking forward to all the different ways to acheive the scheme of e-government
:)

peace!

i think that every side (every detail in your ID) has a firewall for example .. and no one can rnter that information only if the government allowed him.

i got lost by myslef:os

I guess the same people (Authority) who are suppose to protect our Privacy they could be the same people who will release our Information if Third party need them

I guess the same people (Authority) who are suppose to protect our Privacy they could be the same people who will release our Information if Third party need them:) You make some real valid point!!:D

Apparently, the new ID cards could be used as, of course, National ID, driver's license, e-gates facility at seeb airport and as a credit card.
Instead of all of that why theydont make the driver's license to be international ?!

Sleyum, U have good point there

it just doesn't make sense!
just go home and think about it!

What do you mean by identity theft? Can you elaborate with an example...

That someone might be able to take your ID number and use it as if they were you...:think: