My Number system raises red flags in Japan ahead of notice release

[unhappycamper]

http://atimes.com/2015/10/my-number-system-raises-red-flags-in-japan-ahead-of-notice-release/

My Number system raises red flags in Japan ahead of notice release
By AT Editor on October 3, 2015
(From Japan Today)

Despite being trumpeted as ushering in a more efficient, egalitarian society, the government’s controversial My Number system that starts with identification numbers being sent out to residents of Japan next week is raising serious qualms about invasion of privacy and leakage of personal information, Kyodo reports.

These are not the only concerns, however. Others relate to the heavy burden the project will put on businesses that will be tasked with collecting the identification numbers of employees and part-time workers—not to mention their family dependents.

Add to this the fuss about how exactly a tax rebate proposal under the system will work, fears about photo-ID cards being lost, and question marks over whether municipalities are capable of handling the expected number of applications.

On Monday, all residents of the country, Japanese and foreign, will begin receiving by mail randomly generated 12-digit numbers that ideally will not change throughout their lifetimes.

[djean111]

1. I can understand why they are upset.

In reality, the "big brother" thing already exists here, social security numbers, credit cards, online shopping records, card swipes and loyalty cards at supermarkets already record what you are buying. Only paying cash affords privacy, and Japan wants that card swiped when buying anything that gives a tax rebate, which includes food and alcohol.

Really, it just tidies up Japan into what the NSA would like to have, without having to correlate things - a record of everything you buy, your bank account, your health records - all kept track of in, really, one place.

[bananas]

2. NHK chief considering it

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1016133661

[djean111]

3. Good catch here -

Momii also talked about the possibility of using the My Number system at NHK to access detailed data on subscribers, which could potentially help it recoup outstanding fees.