IP: more on National ID, ID cards and poorly written privacy bill a huge blow to Japan

[David Farber <dfarber () earthlink net>]

-----Original Message-----
From: Joichi Ito <jito () neoteny com>
Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2002 09:29:54 
To: farber () cis upenn edu (David Farber)
Subject: National ID, ID cards and poorly written privacy bill a huge
  blow to Japan

I wanted to send folks an update on the electronic privacy situation in Japan.

A bill passed 2 years and 8 months ago that will create a national ID 
number starting August of this year. This law also allows the local 
governments to create IC cards with photo and other ID information 
including the national ID number. Although government agencies and the 
local governments are restricted to sharing just the name, gender, age and 
address information between agencies, there is little restriction on who 
can use and what can be stored on the ID card. In addition, over a hundred 
"addition information" databases have been approved linking the national ID 
number and other information.

A new privacy bill is in the process of passing. It is poorly written 
because it does not define personal information and is generally very vague 
and strict on how government can control business. On the other hand, it 
allows the government to collect information and exchange information with 
other agencies without approval or notice as long as there is a "strong" 
reason. Information collected can used in ways other than originally 
intended as long as there is a reasonable relationship. There is no penalty 
for abuse of personal information by the government.

The combination of these two bills is a huge problem. One creates a 
computer network, an ID card and an ID number to be the platform, and 
ironically, a privacy bill that describes how the government will be 
granted broad rights to use this information. This is a very sneaky 
strategy since everyone focused on the national ID bill which has been 
narrowly written to prevent many of the problems raised by privacy 
advocates. On the other hand, the bill supposed to protect our privacy has 
been warped to be very strict on business, but opening up widely, the 
ability for the government to abuse our information.

Several people including myself are trying to get the government to shut 
down the plan for the national ID before it goes "live" in August. Any 
support or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

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