Popular messenger resource Mess.be is reporting that Microsoft will soon announce plans to incorporate the Belgian eID system with MSN Messenger. An eID, or electronic ID, gives users a trustworthy way of identifying themselves online and can be used for a variety of means. The eID contains a electronic chip like modern credit cards, and is gradually replacing the existing ID card system in Belgium.
"The eID is gradually replacing traditional identity cards and by December 31st of 2009, all citizens over 12 who reside on the Belgian territory should own the chip-equipped card. Just like the classical ID, the eID contains your photo, surname and first names, sex, nationality, place and date of birth, signature, national number as well as the validity period of the card. But all this information (including the photo) will also be electronically stored."
It"s not known exactly how the system will integrate with MSN Messenger; card readers, although the most obvious solution, seem somewhat impractical for home users. The news was announced today by Microsoft chairman Bill Gates who is on a trip to Belgium; Gates is slowly making his way to the European government where he will be meeting with EU representatives to talk about the ongoing case against Microsoft. The eID system in Belgium would appear to offer the kind of solution that Microsoft tried to introduce (but failed) with Passport; it offers a variety of features based around the central idea of a single "sign-on" mechanism.
Gate"s hinted at the possibility of other countries adopting a similar system, yet it is not known specifically which. In the UK, where the government has plans to introduce a similar ID card system, the issue is strongly fought against by privacy advocates and is viewed in a poor light by the public.