Mexico approves rollout of national biometric digital ID card

The Chamber of Deputies in Mexico has approved the creation of the new General Law on Population, Human Mobility and Interculturality, paving the way for a new national digital ID system, Forbes Mexico reports.

The new law, which passed with 426 votes in favor, three abstentions, and one against, will enable the Ministry of the Interior to create a database with the personal data of Mexicans, including biometrics.

A Cédula Única de Identidad Digital will also be created and will become the official identification document for all Mexicans. The new digital ID will be issued by The Mexican Secretariat for Home Affairs (SEGOB) to the entire population of the country as well as to Mexicans residing abroad.

Citizens will be able to exhibit the document either in a physical format or through electronic devices.

The Cédula will be free and will contain citizens’ names, surnames, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, and biometric data, together with a unique Population Registration Key (CURP) number.

According to the Yucatan Times, the new digital ID will also contain information related to the certificate number of disability, when applicable, and self-inscription as a member of the indigenous peoples or Afro-Mexican population.

Representative César Agustín Fernández Pérez (Morena) said the Cédula will enable the government to address demographic changes, mortality, fertility, and international migration.

The socio-demographic information and statistics will help law-makers formulate public policies in the best interest of the country, Morena added.

The Cédula Única de Identidad Digital will currently not replace voters’ cards or passports.

Mexico is currently adopting biometric applications at an increasingly rapid rate. In August, for example, Santander Mexico rolled out Integrated Biometrics’ fingerprint scanners to register millions of customers.

In the same month, Invixium formed a distribution partnership with Siasa to bring biometric access control products to the Mexican market.

Article Topics

biometric database  |  biometric identification  |  biometrics  |  digital identity  |  identity document  |  Mexico  |  national ID