The new Barbados Trident Identification card has gone through the wringer of public scrutiny and debate as it moves to replace the old laminated National identification card which dates back to 1969.But given the prevailing disquiet about the new digital ID, one can’t help but wonder if we are ready for it.To date, 177,000 people have applied for the card since registration opened last July.The new Trident digital ID as a single source of verifiable identification has been touted as secure and containing a number of features that will reduce the possibility of it being counterfeited. It will also have much of the same information as the current one printed on the front: your national registration number, surname, given names, date of birth, sex, nationality, date of expiry, document number, other data, a photo and sample signature.The launch of the new ID Card is to be followed by a mobile application, Trident eID, which will link with the Trident Card to allow cardholders to prove identity for online transactions and sign documents electronically with legally binding, qualified electronic signatures from anywhere and at any time.
