ID cards

[DaveB]

I vote ID cards for everyone, and a national fingerprint and DNA Database.

With the Proviso that the DNA database is only accessible for ID purposes by the authorities , and that it is written into law that this stipulation can only be changed by a minimum 90% public vote.

No access for health or genetic research etc. whatsoever.

And who would "the authorities" be? It is becoming increasingly popular to include data sharing powers in legislation, such as in the Serious Crime Bill, the Statistics and Registration Service Bill and the UK Borders Bill. Sections 17 to 21 of the Identity Cards Act provide extensive powers for the unprecedented disclosure and duplication of information between a large number of public authorities

The definition of "authorities" is so loosly made now that pretty much anyone with any kind of government association can get access to pretty much any information they want about anyone.

[Cyberman]

The ID card system will be another perfect New Lie stealth tax. First of all we have to pay for our own card and then if we lose it we must pay for a replacement. On top of that, any changes have to be advised by the card holder and delay in registering those changes will incur fines.

Then of course we have set up costs, running costs, reliability and security, all of which are negative factors. Many more lovely jobs for the public sector with index-linked, guaranteed pensions to be another major burden on the taxpayer.

Forget it!! They are a ridiculous idea!!

[Diver]

And who would "the authorities" be? It is becoming increasingly popular to include data sharing powers in legislation, such as in the Serious Crime Bill, the Statistics and Registration Service Bill and the UK Borders Bill. Sections 17 to 21 of the Identity Cards Act provide extensive powers for the unprecedented disclosure and duplication of information between a large number of public authorities

The definition of "authorities" is so loosly made now that pretty much anyone with any kind of government association can get access to pretty much any information they want about anyone.

Point taken

[OwlHoot]

ID cards seem to work in Germany. ..

An ID chip stapled to their skulls would work in Germany. They love being organised and regimented.

Honestly, that's no stereotype - I've worked there, and my landlady was practically in raptures as she explained the ten different recycling bins I was supposed to use!

[VectraMan]

The definition of "authorities" is so loosly made now that pretty much anyone with any kind of government association can get access to pretty much any information they want about anyone.

And not just that. Anybody can find out the name and address of a car's registered keeper from the number plate, for example, as long as they can demonstrate a good reason. Quite what constitutes a "good reason" isn't clearly defined.

I suspect in reality, if we do get ID cards people will accept it and after a few years everybody will wonder what the fuss was about.

[DodgyAgent]

Playing devil's advocate for a minute:

I don't like the idea from a civil liberties point of view, but, I already have a government issued passport, driver's licence, birth certificate, electorol roll entry and NI number, not to mention bank accounts, credit cards, utilities and numerous other things. I've always wondered quite why people are so afraid of a single ID card system when the government already has the same information anyway.

And actually a single ID card would be more convenient day to day than digging up your passport and utility bills when you need to ID yourself.

(Okay so I also think it wouldn't improve security, would waste a load of money, and being a government project the data would be left unecrypted on a USB stick on a train within a few weeks).

The real issue is not ID cards, but the laws that will come with ID cards. I.e. being required to carry identity papers with you and produce it to the police on demand.

The issue about ID cards is not the principle but the execution. Can we:

a. trust the govt to implement such a project
b . trust the govt to use the information for our benefit
c. who decides what is to "our benefit" anyway?

[Incognito]

I don't really have an opinion on the topic.

[Diver]

The issue about ID cards is not the principle but the execution. Can we:

a. trust the govt
b . trust the govt
It's the govt who decides what is to "our benefit" anyway?

That's better

[Peoplesoft bloke]

And not just that. Anybody can find out the name and address of a car's registered keeper from the number plate, for example, as long as they can demonstrate a good reason. Quite what constitutes a "good reason" isn't clearly defined.

I suspect in reality, if we do get ID cards people will accept it and after a few years everybody will wonder what the fuss was about.

Do you think people will be ok with being summoned to their local office to have their prints taken?

[Diver]

The only advantages that I can see are:

• Crime prevention
• Criminal apprehension
• Apprehension of illegal aliens (Zeity)
• Ease of applications for finance
• Ease of application for positions