We would like to respond to Janie Wong's letter titled 'Fears raised over potential abuse of smart IDs', published on April 22.
Ms Wong has read an article which suggests there is potential for the smart ID card to be used in tracking potential carriers of the atypical pneumonia virus. She is worried that if this kind of electronic tagging is possible, it could threaten the privacy of personal data.
We would like to assure Ms Wong that her worries are unfounded. The design of the smart ID card and its supporting computer system does not permit the tracking of individuals. Neither do we allow the sharing of database by government departments.
Upon the introduction of the smart ID card mid-year, the card can be used as proof of identity, for acquiring public library services and for storing a Hongkong Post e-Cert, which would enable the cardholder to perform electronic transactions securely over the Internet. It is planned that, by late next year, Hong Kong residents will be able to use their smart ID cards to enjoy efficient entry and exit under the Immigration Department's Automated Passenger Clearance System and Automated Vehicle Clearance System and, by 2006, for driving licence-related functions. Electronic tagging has never been considered.
If Ms Wong has been following our submissions to the Legislative Council (Legco), she will be pleased to know that we are transparent on the usage of the smart ID card. Legco will be consulted before a decision is taken on whether to include any new application in the card.
In the recently passed Registration of Persons (Amendment) Ordinance 2003, specific legal provisions have been enacted to set out the legislative mechanism for putting any additional non-immigration data on the chip; to reaffirm to the public that all the non-immigration applications are at the voluntary choice of cardholders themselves; and to impose criminal sanctions on unauthorised use of data.