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That seems like an unsatisfactory explanation. In Germany, for example, although we have a national ID card with a number, that number is almost never necessary
by rowyourboat 9y ago
That seems like an unsatisfactory explanation. In Germany, for example, although we have a national ID card with a number, that number is almost never necessary to get a service. They seem to manage without it. The only institutions regularly demanding it are the state itself and banks.
So no, a national ID is not necessary for the purposes of creating trust.
- zaarn 9y agoTbf, the number on the ID card is not uniquely identifying, atleast it isn't supposed to be. At best it is simply verification of what the card says in human readable terms (both the short number on the front and the long text on the back). Only the card in it's entirety is valid authentication of who you are. The postal service also demands the card, not only banks and the state, though only if you have packages marked 18+ or PostIdent.