27 November, 2007
New Integrated Circuit Alien Resident Cards
Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency (“NIA”) has begun issuing integrated circuit Alien Resident Cards (IC ARC) to resident aliens and overseas Chinese. The NIA plans to replace all current paper-based ARCs with the new IC ARCs by the end of 2008. The IC ARC will also include an individual’s multiple-reentry permit if issued. At present, there are currently over 500,000 ARC holders, including approximately 330,000 foreign blue-collar workers in Taiwan mostly from South East Asian countries. Taiwan claims that the new IC ARCs are necessary to facilitate the digitalization of information regarding foreigners, streamline immigration and travel, reduce forgery, and assist anti-terrorism operations.
The NIA has yet to fully disclose what data will be stored on the IC ARC chip. The NIA has stated that the IC ARC follows, in design, the electronic international ID cards (eID cards) implemented in a number of other countries. Although the NIA began issuing new IC ARCs in July 2007, relevant legislation and regulations governing the collection and use of biometric data have yet to be implemented. The IC ARC holder’s nationality, passport number, date of birth, purpose of residency, and residential address appear on the front of the new card. The NIA has also indicated that data will likely include fingerprint and iris scans and information on employment and spouse/relations in Taiwan.
Taiwan attempted to institute a national integrated circuit ID card for Taiwanese nationals in 1997. The cards were to incorporate a range of existing identifications and cards including driver’s license, national health insurance, and taxation information. Fingerprints were also to be included. The initiative was suspended due to strong public opposition given concerns that personal data would not be adequately protected. Taiwan, however, switched the former paper National Health Insurance cards to IC cards in 2003-2004. This has, however, not been without opposition as the current program calls for the cards to increasingly store more and more personal medical information. Subsequent plans to switch from the mandatory paper national ID cards for Taiwanese nationals continue to meet opposition over security and privacy concerns as well as the proposal that fingerprints be included and, as such, Taiwan has proceeded in 2006 with the issuance of a new paper national ID card.
For more information on IC card privacy issues, please contact Marcus Clinch at +886-2311-2345 ext. 511.
