Germany's new e-ID cards raise hackles over privacy

Germany has introduced electronic identity cards that store personal data on microchips, raising fears over data protection in a country. The so-called eIDs enable owners to identify themselves online and sign documents with an electronic signature, which the government says should "increase the safety and convenience of e-business and e-commerce." Yet many Germans fear the eIDs -- which store the owner's date and place of birth, address and biometric photo, with fingerprints voluntary -- could expose them to data theft.