OT: German government develops eCard strategy
03/16/05 Germany wants to introduce chip cards which are compatible with each other and can be used as a healthcare card, ID, JobCard and for filing tax returns. The government recently decided on developing the needed strategy for this. "This will make e-government and e-business safer and more convenient," says Minister of the Interior Otto Schily (Social Democrat).
According to this strategy, an electronic healthcare card replacing the current cards will be introduced in 2006. Doctors and pharmacists will also be given electronic caregiver IDs in a step-by-step process. This will give them access to the patient data on the electronic healthcare card, allow them to sign electronic documents and encrypt them for sending. The digital personal ID - whose introduction date has not been decided on - will also contain authentication functions, in addition to the usual identification and travel document functions. Both cards should be made so that they can be used to digitally sign documents.
Germany is also planning a "JobCard". Certain data, e.g. that needed for social security or unemployment benefits, will be stored in a central location in the future. To prevent misuse of this data, government employees can only access the data via the signature card of the person seeking aid. In addition, starting in 2006, electronic tax returns will be supported using electronic authentication and a digital signature.
Source: Deutsche Bundesregierung, AP
AI
