FC: Joichi Ito on privacy in Japan: National ID cards and legislation

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

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Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 15:06:14 +0900
From: Joichi Ito <jito () neoteny com>
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 last year 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, date, 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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