When Will Photo Identification Cards Become Obsolete?

In times where identity theft is no new thing, one can understand the importance of having a photo identification card. But where does one draw the line.

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How many cards must we have? And aren't these photo id's - especially those which don't have a picture - obsolete?

Employees at banks, airports and other public service organizations have a photo id badge which they must wear at all times while on duty. In fact, even some private firms require their employees to wear a custom picture id badge. But has anyone really noticed if they are indeed wearing the correct batch and their pictures match the person wearing it? Probably customers would like at the person's name on the photo id badge in order to address the person, but on average not many people look at the photos. Unless of course there is a problem and some action is to be taken.

Which brings me to the important question, in a world of fast-paced technology, are identification cards all that necessary? Haven't they become obsolete? Has anyone heard of biometrics? Won't biometrics put an end to the issue of identity theft? Granted that it would be expensive, but it's like a one-time initial expense compared to what we would normally spend on issuance of photo identification cards. Organizations spends huge amounts of money to issue these photo identification cards. And while I am not denying the fact that photo identification cards are essential, my question is, are so many indentification cards really necessary. One just cannot ignore the advantages of biometric technology. In fact many countries are moving along the lines of making their identity cards, passports biometric. Developed countries such as France, Spain are already in the transition mode of using biometrics, where id cards are concerned. But what happens if people from these countries visit other countries which don't use biometrics, they would still need id cards.

Several organisations across the world have already done away with id cards and have started using biometrics. Fingerprints, retinal scans are nothing new to many organisations. They have inculcated change and done away with a more traditional system. But when does this change become universal? It's certainly more convenient and one can do away with the many costs of creating id cards.

Well, I guess all we can do is wait and watch, when this change will be adopted by all, and custom photo identification cards will be passe!