"Austrian citizen card now integrated in bank cards", the EU-based eGovernment Observatory said on February 9th, "the optional function – a digital signature stored in the bank card's microchip – allows users to use their Maestro card to identify themselves online. This new functionality, which is aimed at increasing the uptake of e-services provided by the Austrian public sector, could ultimately be extended to the 6.7 million bank cards currently in circulation in the country. Until 31 August 2004, Maestro cardholders will be able to exchange their current cards against new ones containing a digital signature at no cost".