New Internet Identification in Korea to Protect Privacy

Image source: Ministry of Information and Communication Republic of Korea

New Internet Identification to Protect Privacy
From Digital Chosun Ilbo (English Edition)

Korea is adopting a new identification system for website access from 2007 to protect users' privacy. Those who want to join a website will no longer register with their real name and resident registration number, but will use a personal identification number (PIN) assigned by a credit-rating agency or certified authentication institute.

The Ministry of Information and Communication said Monday it settled on five identification methods to guard against theft of personal information after a series of high-profile crimes where hackers obtained access to users online banking accounts. The methods include three via credit-rating agencies and two via certified authentication institutes; the ministry wants online firms to adopt more than one of them. " If lawmakers pass the Personal Information Protection Act next year, major web portals and online game providers will have to adopt an alternative to resident registration numbers from 2007",ministry official Lee Seong-ok said.

Links:

Is privacy cure worse than the disease? Some say yesJoongang Ilbo, South Korea
Foolproof ID to Be Adopted for Online Registration Korea Times
Korea to introduce new ID system for internet services Korea Herald
On the Net, your history lingers Joongang Ilbo