Camwyn wrote:

1. Of course, the questions beg asking - who assigns them?
   1. This requires some comment on the book, which says "...this ego ID is verifiable by the person's brainwave patterns"and then goes on to say "...this system is far from perfect...record-keeping is far from standardized." and "when autonomists and the like egocast to habitats that require ID, they are assigned a temporary ID for the duration of their stay (and sometimes any future visits)."
      1. I have issues with  the "temporary", as I can see no good reason for them to NOT keep the records indefinitely - for law enforcement if nothing else. With AIs to tend to mundane computation tasks (like record keeping) and infinite data storage, why would any government erase records? (excepting records for things they don't want leaking out...)
      2. I also have issues with the "far from perfect"as if we assume that ego ID is essentially "unhackable" (for the average Joe) then an ego ID is an ego ID...of course, different alliances could use different hashes (or the like) to generate their IDs, but it seems likely that some type of translation service is in place, otherwise there's NO verification of ID between alliances - you'd need a new ID for each alliance.
      3. Of course, this isn't really pertinent for the average Joe, but it could become very much so for PC Firewall agents...

Ego IDs work very similar to the way that Identification works today; various factions and habitats hold their own databases containing information on their own people, which are accessed via mesh to verify Ego IDs. It works on a system of trust; we trust that people who have a Japanese ID aren't lying, because we trust Japan's database. This works in kind here. This may create scenarios in which your ID won't be recognized by another habitat solely because of negative sentiment between factions. As for autonomist habs, they do keep records within their respective reputation network, but do not require that fellow autonomists carry ID with them at all times. Autonomists have a high degree of personal freedom and privacy, and no direct legal expectations. However, they require IDs when they travel to habitats that require them... so they have an ID server set up which assigns you a temporary ID when you travel, likely loaded with information from the rep network. Some places may or may not recognize these, depending on their relationship with autonomists.

Camwyn wrote:

Is there "other" info coded into them? Do you believe that there wouldn't be? (I don't)

1. "Race" (here meant to refer more to the uplifted, but YMMV.
2. Criminal status?
3. Notes on other things (pshychosurgery comes to mind).
4. Perhaps your original DNA code? (might come in handy when trying to procreate!)
5. Heck, your ego ID could become the equivalent of a passport...of course, there's always Darkcasting...

Ego ID is basically exactly that; a passport. It is required in certain habitats simply for the purpose of travel, and it is used for all other aspects as well (it will likely carry such information as whether you are licensed to drive a vehicle, own certain weapons, and other such issues). In that same vein, yes... criminal status, notes and all those aspects are likely carried within your ego ID. However, how much information is kept will largely depend on the habitat that issues your ID: going back to the autonomist habs, they likely don't have concepts like licenses and such... so autonomist-issued habs are likely to license you for everything and anything.

Camwyn wrote:

Then we need to know what happens if someone decides to change theirs - for any reason.

Ego IDs are very difficult to change. For one thing, they are hash-encrypted and cross-referenced with a database. If you change the code on your nanotat, it's likely that your ID will not show up on the ID server it references. So long as they cannot verify who you are, you are likely to sit inside customs. This means that habitats on opposite sides of the solar system will probably take a very long time to transmit the necessary data for ID verification. Cross-referencing might involve checking with nearby locales which you may have visited previously, and see if they have info on who you are to speed up the process somewhat... you will likely be monitored very closely until your originating habitat responds with ID information, however.

Camwyn wrote:

According to the book again, "Brainwave scans are one of the few types of biometric prints that stay with an ego no matter what morph it is in...These scans are all but impossible to fool, however, barring hacking of the brainprint scanner itself"

1. Really, and what happens when you undergo psychosurgery, or contract Watts-Macleod? Since this would potentially change your brain physically as well as mentally, it should change your scan results...which would change your ID.
   1. I see all sorts of mayhem ensuing,
      1. your new scan happens to be identical to a missing criminal's
      2. you forgot to register your new scan with the proper authorities and can't prove you're YOU
      3. perhaps more horrifying, psychosurgeons are required (by law?) to register all patient before and after scans...hello Big Brother!
2. Oh, and , ehrm,"hacking of the brainprint scanner itself "...you could hack the actual ID database...since I assume that each scanner would have to be hacked individually

Psychosurgery does not modify your brainwave patterns. Watts-Macleod can, but not in all cases. This does not, however, necessarily change your ID. Brainwave scans take far too long to be a logistically sound option, and require advanced machinery. IDs are generally checked simply by nanotat ID. Brainwave scans are likely only done at birth (to enter you into the database) and when you are suspected of identity theft or fraud (to see if you really are who your nanotat says you are).

Camwyn wrote:

Now I have to ask, who can read this? Specifically the "extra info"

1. "Well, Johnson, you are an excellent candidate for this job, but I notice you've had some pretty intensive psychosurgery in the past...tell me about it."
2. "I'm sorry sir, but we are not allowing any immigrants from MeatLab beyond the reception area at this time...it's a security issue."

Again, this will depend on the issuing habitat and how much they respect your privacy. Places like the Junta or hypercorps are likely to grant this information to any authority figure that checks; while autonomist nations are likely to require you to grant permission for the release of information, via public key-encrypted signature (with exceptions; I doubt that most autonomist habs are going to hold back the fact that you're a wanted fugitive from those who check your ID).