August 2, 2024 at 02:04AM
The Japanese government plans to address issues with the My Number Card by introducing a mandatory app to verify its legitimacy. This comes after reports of data breaches and counterfeiting. The app will use a smartphone’s camera to compare information on the card with its resident chip and is set for release in late August.
Based on the meeting notes, the Japanese government has revealed plans for a new app to address issues surrounding the My Number Card. The app, to be mandatory, aims to verify the legitimacy of the card and counteract the proliferation of counterfeit cards that have been used for fraudulent activities. This solution will utilize a smartphone’s camera to compare data from the card’s chip with printed information, eliminating the need for a user to enter a PIN. The development of the app has been in collaboration with both government and private sector stakeholders, and is scheduled for general release in late August pending successful testing and verification.
It’s also noted that the Japanese government has set a goal to promote increased adoption of the My Number Card, with a recent jump in applications leading to an uptake of 76.3% by the end of fiscal 2022. This push for higher adoption rates aligns with plans to eventually replace health insurance cards with the My Number ID cards.
In summary, the government’s focus on addressing issues with the My Number Card through the development of a mandatory verification app, alongside efforts to increase adoption rates, reflects a proactive approach aimed at resolving challenges and improving the effectiveness of the national identity system.