Simplifying Travel while Ensuring Personal Data Security: The Idea of a Universal Digital Passport Raises Both Interest and Concern
According to Forbes, the implementation of a global digital passport relies on significant technological advancements in data security. Storing biometric information on a planetary scale implies high risks of cyberattacks and data breaches.
As reported by Cybersecurity Ventures, these threats could cost up to $10.5 trillion per year by 2025. The case of India's Aadhaar system, which has been vulnerable to security breaches, highlights the vulnerability of centralized databases. However, initiatives like the one at Singapore's Changi Airport, which is experimenting with blockchain technology, pave the way for more secure solutions.
A global digital passport raises questions of sovereignty. Currently, each country controls the issuance of its identity documents, ensuring its authority over nationality and citizens' rights. A single system would challenge this autonomy, especially since data protection regulations vary greatly between countries.
The European Union applies the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), while other regions adopt more lenient standards, complicating global harmonization.
Beyond its administrative utility, the physical passport embodies national belonging and tangible security, particularly in times of instability. Unlike a digital version, it is immune to cyberattacks and preserves the privacy of its holder. For many, it remains a reassuring and indispensable reference point.
