In a method for using and maintaining user data stored on a smart card, a smart card receives a user data request for the user data stored on the smart card. The smart card determines whether the user data request is a data maintenance request or a data use request. A data maintenance request is for modifying user data stored on the smart card. A data use request is for read only access to user data stored on the smart card. The smart card uses a first process to determine whether to allow the user data request when the user data request is determined to be a data maintenance request. The smart card uses a second process, different from the first method, to determine whether to allow the user data request when the user data request is determined to be a data use request.