At a simple calculation, $19B USD for 118M expected signatures (of different types) is $161 per signature. This contradicts the article which says 1.5 Francs or 2-4 Francs. However, it’s also “2 to 17” Billion Francs, depending on actual usage. Still doesn’t add up.
I have no clue what’s actually included in the price—digitization and indexing/retrieval of documents can cost a lot more than just the identity verification. And legally-binding identity verification ain’t cheap in the first place.
It does seem high to me, but I can say that about almost all government spending, for any country for any program.
At a simple calculation, $19B USD for 118M expected signatures (of different types) is $161 per signature. This contradicts the article which says 1.5 Francs or 2-4 Francs. However, it’s also “2 to 17” Billion Francs, depending on actual usage. Still doesn’t add up.
I have no clue what’s actually included in the price—digitization and indexing/retrieval of documents can cost a lot more than just the identity verification. And legally-binding identity verification ain’t cheap in the first place.
It does seem high to me, but I can say that about almost all government spending, for any country for any program.