The Ministry of Public Security evaluates the solution of integrating DNA biometrics into the national identity card database.

On the afternoon of February 6th, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Public Security organized a workshop to evaluate scientific and technological solutions using DNA, voice, and iris biometrics to support the implementation of the new Identity Card Law, which will take effect from July 1st, 2024.

At the workshop, Deputy Minister of Public Security Nguyen Duy Ngoc stated that the Law on Identity Cards has been passed by the National Assembly and will take effect from July 1, 2024, including new regulations related to adding biometric information such as DNA, iris, and voice to the identity card database.

Conference scene

Deputy Minister Nguyen Duy Ngoc affirmed that the implementation of technological conveniences for citizens has been carried out synchronously and consistently with applications, biometric authentication, chip-based features on identity cards, and electronic identification. This has been successful in reducing and streamlining administrative procedures and making them more user-friendly.

The leaders of the Ministry of Public Security also cited that many countries around the world have built national databases on DNA, iris, and voice to serve population management and crime prevention, disaster relief, and the search for missing victims. In Vietnam, we have gradually approached this, but there are still many difficulties regarding legal aspects and information technology infrastructure.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Duy Ngoc stated that there were many differing opinions when introducing regulations on the application of biometrics. However, the Law on Identity Cards has been passed, and now the focus is on how to implement it effectively. During the process of developing these regulations, the Department of Administrative Management of Social Order Police was assigned to carry out the task and will continue to be open to feedback and suggestions.

Deputy Minister of Public Security Nguyen Duy Ngoc delivered a speech at the workshop.

At the workshop, scientists, managers, and experts focused on discussing and clarifying the following issues: priority target groups for implementation (the Identity Card Law affirms that citizens can voluntarily adopt it), whether crime prevention groups are required to use biometrics, what applications will be provided, how the technology solutions will be implemented, how samples will be collected (blood, saliva, etc.), storage time, investment solutions, etc.

Sharing his views at the conference, Professor Ho Tu Bao (Institute for Advanced Studies in Mathematics) stated that biometrics is a part of human identity, a field of scientific research and data mining to confirm identities. During implementation, Professor Bao noted the need to measure individual samples and determine how to identify them. According to him, DNA has many advantages such as high accuracy and imperishability, but its disadvantage is high cost. Meanwhile, voice biometrics is low-cost, easy to use, and requires simpler equipment, but it has the disadvantage of being susceptible to forgery and the language environment may be affected. Similarly, iris biometrics has average cost but requires more complex and expensive equipment.

Delegates present their papers at the conference.

Mr. Nong Van Hai (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) believes that the choice of biometric solution should be carefully considered to ensure it is appropriate in terms of cost, convenience, and security. According to Mr. Hai, before the Law on Identity Cards comes into effect, a plan is needed to clearly allocate resources and establish a council to address ethical issues during sample collection. Regarding funding for these solutions, Mr. Hai suggests that it could come from the state budget, socialized resources, and international support (if available).

"This is a long-term project that affects the entire society and relates to Vietnam's national scientific and technological standing. I think we need to consult with other countries around the world to see how they do it," Mr. Hai stated.

Continuing to present his views and solutions for applying biometrics to identity card databases, Mr. Nguyen Duc Cong (Thong Nhat Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City) argued that applying DNA to identity cards is one solution, not the whole picture, and that DNA data, in his understanding, is primarily for crime prevention. Therefore, he emphasized the need to consider how to collect genes from individuals with different constitutions, as each person's constitution will yield different results, potentially leading to various diseases. Mr. Cong supported collecting genes through blood samples. During the discussion, Mr. Cong expressed some concerns that this "solution" is costly and therefore requires further research.

Colonel Vu Van Tan, Deputy Director of the Police Department for Administrative Management of Social Order, said that from July 1, 2024, when the Law on Identity Cards comes into effect, theoretically, if citizens request it, DNA will be integrated into the new identity card. According to Colonel Tan, research from countries around the world such as the US, UK, and China shows that they all apply DNA in identity cards and DNA data.

According to Mr. Tan, globally, the sharing of biometric data is also permitted (European Treaty) on a voluntary basis and for the purpose of crime investigation and detection. In the US, the Identification Act also affirms this. In Vietnam, the recent Law on Identity Cards also incorporates DNA into the law.

Furthermore, looking at the broader picture, Europe also allows 20 gene addresses to be included in its database; in Vietnam, the process of building 30 gene addresses into the national identity card is underway.

DO TRUNG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/bo-cong-an-danh-gia-ve-giai-phap-sinh-trac-hoc-adn-vao-co-so-du-lieu-can-cuoc-post726026.html