TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan’s new national electronic identification card (eID) boasts eight smart, new features, with full design details expected by the end of September, said Minister of the Interior Hsu Kuo-yung (徐國勇) on Thursday (May 16).

Hsu said introduction of the new ID is slated for issuance in October 2020 and will cost approximately NT$4 billion. According to UDN, ID card features include: identification, multifunction, digital signature, privacy protection, autonomy of information disclosure, boosts smart infrastructure, has anti-counterfeit traits, and drives innovative applications and industry development.

Regarding the hotly-discussed topic of whether to include Taiwan’s national flag in the design, Hsu noted the decision has not been made but favors placing the flag on the new edition of the ID card. Design details will be finalized by September, he added. 

The eID will also incorporate National Insurance Card and driver’s license details, providing a limited display of personal information. The card will be fitted with the highest-standard identification technologies to deter digital theft, so that passwords are required to access data, such as the names of cardholder’s parents and spouse, ETToday wrote.