Tim Cook: expressed "strong concern" about the addition of a Japanese My Number card to Apple's iPhone wallet

CTOnews.com, December 31 (Xinhua) Apple CEO Tim Cook visited Japan earlier this month and met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to discuss App Store, Apple's investment in Japan, and possible future iPhone features.

Fumio Kishida asked Cook to introduce a digital version of his My Number card into Apple's iPhone wallet app. He wants Cook to support My Number cards on iPhone, just as he supports identity cards in some states of the United States.

Cook said he would add My Number cards to iPhone as much as possible in accordance with Fumio Kishida's request, but he also said Apple had "strong concerns" about the handling of My Number ID. After a better assessment, you will only consider adding a personal serial number (My Number) card to ensure that the privacy and security of iPhone users will not be compromised.

CTOnews.com learned that in order to improve administrative efficiency and provide more convenience for its citizens, the Japanese government has been mandatory to give each person a 12-digit personal number since October 2015, and began to promote the system in January 2016.

The personal serial number card issued is a plastic card with an IC chip, which contains personal information such as name, address, date of birth, gender, personal number (My Number) and personal face photo.

Main uses of My Number card

1 when receiving pension, child subsidy, and medical services.

2 when remitting money to or receiving remittances from abroad

3 when opening an account in the bank

4 when filing personal income tax on the Internet

5 when applying for child subsidy and applying for nursery school registration on the Internet

6 when applying for a transcript of resident ticket in a convenience store (it can also be processed on holidays)

7 to be used as a health insurance document (starting from March 2021)

8 to be used as an official identity document