China to roll out smartphone ID cards in 2018

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Most of us are more likely to leave the house without our IDs than our smartphones.

That's the idea behind a pilot program in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, which intends to eliminate the need for Chinese citizens to carry their physical ID cards as early as next year.

The first "virtual national identity card" was issued during an event kicking off the campaign that took place on Monday, Guangzhou Daily reported.

Besides basic information, the ID also requires a face scan. /Photo via VCG

Sponsored by more than 10 companies and organizations including tech giant Tencent, China Construction Bank and Nansha district public security officials, the campaign is slated to roll out nationwide by January 2018, according to the report.

The virtual IDs are available in two versions: A mini app on Tencent's WeChat platform and a more secure version that involves scanning a QR code at a local public security bureau.

Besides for basic information, the ID will also need a face scan.

While the WeChat version is designed for informal occasions, such as showing ID at bars and museums, the secure version is required for more security-sensitive transactions, such as train ticket purchases and business licenses.

Trial of the virtual ID will soon cover the entire Guangzhou Province and more expand across the nation from January 2018. /Photo via VCG

However, some at the event were left unimpressed.

"It says my face was not recognized," a Guangzhou resident surnamed Su told Global Times on Tuesday. "Now I'm not sure if my ID card is actually mine or not."

Su's sister, however, told Global Times that she successfully registered for a virtual ID on WeChat.

Virtual ID holders only need to scan their faces to prove their identities, a Nansha district police officer surnamed Yan told Guangzhou Daily.

According to the report, if a phone is lost, users can block access to the ID by resetting their eight-digit PIN.

Source(s): Global Times