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March 19, 2006
Yet Even More on ID Cards
I’ve rather taken my eye off the ball on these ID Cards. Knowing, as I do, that they are an abomination, I’m agin’ ’em and don’t really need to know much more. But something from Henry Porter:
Over the past few weeks, an anonymous email has been doing a very good job of enlightening people on how invasive the ID card will be. 'Private businesses,' says the writer, 'are going to be given access to the national identity register database. If you want to apply for a job, you will have to present your card for a swipe. If you want to apply for a London underground Oystercard or supermarket loyalty card or driving licence, you will have to present your card.'
You will need the card when you receive prescription drugs, when you withdraw a relatively small amount of money from a bank, check into hospital, get your car unclamped, apply for a fishing licence, buy a round of drinks (if you need to prove you're over 18), set up an internet account, fix a residents' parking permit or take out insurance.
They’re seriously suggesting all that as uses for the card? Really?
March 19, 2006 in Politics | Permalink
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Comments
Not specifically required by the bill, but function creep of this type is already occurring. I was requested by Dixons to present "ID" when buying a pack of tapes for my dictaphone - because I used a credit card to pay for my purchase...
Posted by: Longrider | Mar 19, 2006 11:58:55 AM
... when a bad check or credit card is used the person accepting it will be asked "did you see his ID card?"
guess what will happen on the next sale?
Posted by: embutler | Mar 19, 2006 1:19:57 PM
Yes really....,
Here in Sweden we must produce our ID cards when:
buying booze,
visiting the doctor,
driving a car,
renting a car,
becoming a new employee,
giving birth,
renting accomadation,
signing up for a university course and so so so much more
It would seem that Tony and Göran are relly good friends and that Europe and you British just might have to pay the price...!!!
If given the choice I would never freely carry an ID card.
P.S Tim looking gooood
Posted by: Colette | Mar 19, 2006 6:30:00 PM
What do you mean 'if given the choice'? You always have the choice to refuse; it is not given to you, you are born with it. Not understanding this is your primary error.
Posted by: Alexander De Large | Mar 19, 2006 10:23:23 PM
In any transaction in which it is necessary, useful, potentially useful, or expedient to verify a person's identity the simplest option will be to require them to produce an identity card. Therefore once ID cards are introduced they will become compulsory for just about everything because it will be the easiest way for jobsworths to cover their arses. The government will then argue that making them compulsory - which was obviously the intention from the start - is a mere formality. Never underestimate the power of laziness.
Posted by: Andrew Zalotocky | Mar 19, 2006 10:25:52 PM
In fairness a distinction should be drawn between merely showing a card -- flashing it at some busybody -- which won't result in an identity verification transaction against the Register, and hence will not be recorded in the audit trail (see schedule 1, paragraph 9 of the Bill), and having it read (by RFID) and an on-line check performed, which will. It might be overestimating the competence of the state to expect them to realise that simply flashing an ID card does nobody any good at all and trying to induce as many on-line verifications as possible as the scheme rolls out, but anyway, think how many of THE TERRORISTS they'll manage to catch that way....
Posted by: Chris Lightfoot | Mar 20, 2006 4:25:57 PM
