The talks about the introduction of an identification card instead of a Russian civil passport have been going on for several years already. The project is called UEC - a universal electronic card. Its functions will include identification of a citizen and the ability to pay for any services.
Why do I need an ID card
Red tape, which is an integral feature of the Russian bureaucracy (at least it is difficult to believe in the possibility of quick reforms in this area), has long been known. An identification card can simplify a number of processes for which today citizens need to come to government agencies, stand in line and communicate with officials.
With the help of the card, it will be possible to order and pay for various government services, it will also include a medical policy and an insurance certificate. It will be possible to add a travel card, an electronic wallet to it. Since Sberbank will be the issuer of the cards, every Russian will become the owner of a payment account.
According to the project, the card is planned to be issued free of charge. To obtain it, you just need to fill out an application. The card will be valid for 5 years, after which it will have to be changed.
The UEC project provides for the possibility of including additional services in the card. To do this, they will simply be written to the chip of the card. Basic services, like card service, will be free, but additional ones may have to be paid.
Advantages and disadvantages of an ID card
The population of Russia expresses concerns about the new project. Most people fear that the card will be very easy to lose. There are those who believe that the security of all personal data when written to one medium will be under serious threat.
However, the cards have undeniable advantages. With their help, you can quickly carry out operations that previously took weeks and months. With them, the need to go to bureaucratic institutions will almost completely disappear.
UEC developers in Russia are working to protect the population from losing the card. It is even planned to issue a duplicate card at the request of the owner.
So far, UEC is positioned as an intermediate project, after which there will be a complete transition to electronic passports.
Experience from other countries
Identification cards have been successfully introduced and used in a significant number of countries around the world. A passport is often understood there as a foreign passport, since a convenient card has long become an identity card.
As of 2013, the ID card system has been introduced or is being developed in more than 50 countries around the world, including Germany, Great Britain, China, Singapore, Italy, Spain and others.
Considering the experience of other countries, we can say for sure that with a competent and correctly planned transition process, ID cards can really become an alternative to paper passports in the future.
