[LINK] Digitised signatures.

[Mike]

I have just renewed my Queensland driver licence, for which I was 
required to provide a signature via a glass-topped device using a large 
round-ended "pen" (a Verifone Signature Capture Pad?) .

After about five or six attempts to achieve something even vaguely like 
my usual signature , and having the alternative of just an "X" rejected 
by the desk officer, I provide a squiggle that was accepted as my 
"signature" and which will appear on my driver licence for the next five 
years.


I understand that the squiggle will be stored digitally, and that it can 
be accessed for various purposes where my signature is to be verified. 
If the stored squiggle is so unlike my real signature then it could 
appear to match any number of fake versions.

This is a very serious issue with relevance to privacy, identity theft, 
and the reliability of government data. I understand that wide use of 
Queensland driver licences data beyond simply authenticating the right 
to drive a vehicle is intended in future.

I have not found any research on the reliability of signatures captured 
on digitisers that provide a near frictionless surface and inappropriate 
hand support.   Any thoughts on the issues raised here?


Mike Shearer
Townsville

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