Comments on: Equifax offers its first I-card

The Equifax Over 18 card is one of the first to use the open standards from the Information Card Foundation.

[Tazz57]

only draw back is that it only works on XP Sp2 and better, i got XP SP1 it don't work !

[Identiguy]

Well, XP SP2 was released in Aug 2004, so you've had 4+ years to get the *free* upgrade.

[humanssssss]

Isn't Equifax the company that buy and sell your personal information?

[btljooz]

Why on Earth would someone WILLINGLY allow Big Brother to intrude FURTHER into one's life like this? Why do ppl allow themselves to be brainwashed like this? That's all this type of convenient" tech is!

[Meiko34]

Just because all your information is now on one card doesn't really convince me that it will be more safe. I imagine I-card theft to potentially occur. It may be more convenient not to have to sign in every time, but it also seems like a one-click way for ID thieves to steal it to (hackers, they seem to always find a way.) Probably will need to learn more about this technology.

[elwood52]

This thing will not work! Identity theft central! Equifax Computers hacked. I can see the headlines now. Stupid idea!

[RUIDd]

The problem information cards are trying to solve is the privacy problem. For example, if I want to buy a cell phone online today, I need to go through a credit check. This means giving personally identifying information to the wireless provider?s site and answering challenge questions in order to get approved. I?ve now given Verizon Wireless (for example) WAY more information than they need to do business with me.

Information cards minimize disclosure. Now, all I need to do is show Verizon my Equifax card to prove I?m legit. And because Verizon trusts what Equifax says, they get what they need to do business with me. And they don?t get my SSN or date of birth. That?s big.

The issue isn?t whether Equifax has data about me. They do and they will. The issue is that with information cards, I can use a card that says ?he?s ok? while the data stays safely inside Equifax?s databases ? not Azigo?s (information card selector or "wallet") and not Verizon?s database.