Originally Posted by nomadking (Post 34824838)

ID cards are only of any use if, when being asked for it you have to provide a fingerprint check which has to be done against a central database and not info on the card itself. To do otherwise, would mean that the ID card becomes just another easily forged piece of plastic. Imagine the queues of people waiting to get on a bus who have to provide a valid fingerprint scan.

Originally Posted by BBKing (Post 34824889)

While we're on holes being poked in the Big Database State...



http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06...ders_eurostar/

Their main point is a) it's illegal on the continent and b) it mucks up everyone's journey time.

Originally Posted by Chris (Post 34824818)

Sorry ... am I understanding this right ... we've basically been spending multi-billions on a project that amounts to reinventing this:

http://www.citizencard.com/pict/zeCard1.jpg

???

:disturbd:

Originally Posted by zaax (Post 34825656)

and what go me is they already have a good id card in the driving license.They could have done what California has done and issue 'no driving' driving license for the non-drivers, if anyone needed to prove who they are

Originally Posted by Guardian

British citizens who apply for or renew their passport will be automatically registered on the national identity card database under regulations to be approved by MPs in the next few weeks.

The decision to press ahead with the main elements of the national identity card scheme follows a review by the home secretary, Alan Johnson, of the £4.9bn project. Although Johnson said the cards would not be compulsory, critics say the passport measures amount to an attempt to introduce the system by the backdoor.

(snip)

Originally Posted by Stuart C (Post 35020082)

Well, sorry to have to say that (not really), but it seems the ID card is (unofficially at least) dead.

Originally Posted by NoKnowledge (Post 35020376)

I bet they still keep the db in a unofficial capacity.

Originally Posted by Stuart C (Post 35020082)

Well, sorry to have to say that (not really), but it seems the ID card is (unofficially at least) dead.

Originally Posted by Derek S (Post 35020567)

I wonder how much money has been sprayed against the wall so far in the ID and biometric passport program?

Whilst professionally I can see the benefits of a comprehensive ID card program the way the government tried to implement it meant it would never get off the ground.

Originally Posted by Will21st (Post 35021092)

You may wonder,but you don't want to know! :erm:

I can see an ID card scheme being good for police to quickly identify people.I can also see it being good to combat identity theft,and other related fraud.
Still,I prefer no ID,it isn't necessary,and also my ID is non of the govs business,imo.

Originally Posted by NO2ID

Illegal immigration and working

People will still enter Britain using foreign documents—genuine or forged—and ID cards offer no more deterrent to people smugglers than passports and visas. Employers already face substantial penalties for failing to obtain proof of entitlement to work, yet there are only a handful of prosecutions a year.

Benefit fraud and abuse of public services

Identity is "only a tiny part of the problem in the benefit system." Figures for claims under false identity are estimated at £50 million (2.5%) of an (estimated) £2 billion per year in fraudulent claims.

"Identity fraud"

Both Australia and the USA have far worse problems of identity theft than Britain, precisely because of general reliance on a single reference source. Costs usually cited for of identity-related crime here include much fraud not susceptible to an ID system. Nominally "secure", trusted, ID is more useful to the fraudster. The Home Office has not explained how it will stop registration by identity thieves in the personae of innocent others. Coherent collection of all sensitive personal data by government, and its easy transmission between departments, will create vast new opportunities for data-theft.

Originally Posted by martyh (Post 35021115)

i don't see the problem either ,after all we carry all sorts of id with us now whats wrong with a nationally recognised one

Originally Posted by Chris (Post 35021823)

Recognition of an official card by the State was never the problem. The problem was the fundamental shift in the relationship between the citizen and the State. Are you free or are you not? Does the State exist to tell you, where absolutely necessary, what you cannot do, or does it exist to give you a list of the things you can do?

If you are born free, and live free, then any scheme that compels you to be registered and prove what rights you have flies in the face of that freedom.

Originally Posted by heero_yuy (Post 35022168)

The cards were going to have remote sensing (like those ski passes) so the state would know who you are and where you are 24/7. But if you've done nothing wrong.....

'RFID tag' - the rude words ID card ministers won't say

Originally Posted by foreverwar (Post 35022218)

Which is fine, until the definition of "done nothing wrong" is amended by the Government of the day.....:(

Originally Posted by heero_yuy (Post 35022168)

The cards were going to have remote sensing (like those ski passes) so the state would know who you are and where you are 24/7. But if you've done nothing wrong.....

'RFID tag' - the rude words ID card ministers won't say

Originally Posted by Chris (Post 35021823)

If you are born free, and live free, then any scheme that compels you to be registered and prove what rights you have flies in the face of that freedom.

Originally Posted by Ramrod (Post 35022758)

I agree. A few years ago I argued the opposite with Graham but the older I get the more anti government I am becoming.....:disturbd:

Originally Posted by Ramrod (Post 35022758)

I agree. A few years ago I argued the opposite with Graham but the older I get the more anti government I am becoming.....:disturbd:

Originally Posted by Angua (Post 35022721)

One of reasons behind the ID card was to be able to identify terrorists. However all an ID card will manage in this situation is to give the terrorists a nice easy means of appearing legitimate.