In many countries, a national ID is issued by the government to give people easier access to different social welfare programs. The card is also considered an official government-issued identification document as it contains the full name, facial image, birth date, address, and fingerprints of the bearer. Here in the Philippines, we have Republic Act No. 11055, otherwise known as the Philippine Identification System Act (PhilSys). The law seeks to "simplify public and private transactions" by collecting biometrics (fingerprint, iris scan, and photograph) of those who will register and store them in a universal identification card. By making the card available online, its proponents aim to accelerate the country's transition to a digital economy. They also promise to reduce fraudulent schemes in many government services and "empower Filipinos" with better control over their personal data.