Sunday, February 11, 2007

China Creates Massive Online ID Database. China Creates Massive Online ID Database. schwaang writes that while the US continues to hash out concerns over the Real ID Act, which aims to create a national ID by standardizing state driver's licenses, China has already implemented a massive online ID database, which they say will help prevent fraud.  --- From the Xinhua English-language site:  "Anyone can now send a text message or visit the country's population information center's website, to check if the name and the ID number of a person's identity card match. If they do match the ID card-holder's picture also appears, said the Ministry, adding that no other information is available to ensure a citizen's privacy is protected. Completed at the end of 2006, China's population information database, the world's largest, contains personal information on 1.3 billion citizens. Giving public accessing to the database is also designed to correct mistakes if an individual discovers that their name, number and picture don't match."  [Slashdot: Your Rights Online] 11:48:50 PM

MS Seeks Patent For Repossessing School Computers. MS Seeks Patent For Repossessing School Computers. theodp writes "Microsoft has applied for a patent for 'securely providing advertising subsidized computer usage.' The application describes how face-recognition webcams and CAPTCHAs can be used in schools to ensure that computer users are paying attention to ads, and the recourse of 'disabling or even repossessing the computer' if they are not." [Slashdot: Your Rights Online] 11:40:04 PM

© Copyright 2007 Paul Hardwick. Last update: 3/4/07; 2:48:14 AM.