Canadians May Receive Enhanced License That Boosts Security Risks

Nov 18, 2008 12:21 PM

This week, the Ontario legislature will resume debate on Bill 85, proposed legislation that could lead to the creation of an "enhanced driver's license" (EDL) in the province.

The introduction of the new license -- which will also be available as a photo card for non-drivers -- has received little public attention despite the urgent concerns expressed by privacy commissioners and civil liberties groups. Indeed, barring an unlikely change of plans, the legislation could be passed within a matter of days.

The primary impetus behind the enhanced license is the increased border security measures between Canada and the United States. As the U.S. increased identity card requirements for entry into the country (passports are now required at most border crossings) in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, government officials in both countries have sought to develop an alternative to the passport.

According to the Toronto Star, the EDL, which will embed new technologies including a radio frequency identification device (RFID) within the card, is the outcome of that work. While the enhanced card will be optional, it is expected that many residents may pay the extra fee for the EDL. Moreover, Ontarians will not be alone in this regard as other provinces and U.S. states have similar plans.

As Ontario moves closer to an EDL with this new legislation, the concern from the privacy and civil liberties communities -- who point to three overarching concerns -- have continued to mount:

• The introduction of the EDL is viewed as an important development with significant implications for personal privacy. However, few have participated in a consultation process and the legislative committee considering the proposed legislation allocated limited time to debate and discussion.
• Although the new card is optional, some experts view it as a major step toward a national identity card.
• The privacy implications associated with the use of biometric screening and the embedding RFID tags in the licenses.

To guard against unintended access to card information, an RFID with an "on/off" switch could be used. To date, the government has rejected proposals to use RFIDs with that more updated technology, instead supporting the use of "protective sleeve" that it argues will guard against unwanted surveillance.

Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2012 Penton Media Inc.

This month in Access Control

• Targeting The Customer
• Electronic Pedigrees
• One Hero Among Many
• Who? What? When? Where? Why?
• More from September's issue