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Subject: The UK just became a "Big Brother" state
UK to introduce compulsory ID cards
Not for several years, but I do like the idea :)
Subject: Re: The UK just became a "Big Brother" state
I'm not surprised, in a country that has incredible amounts of video surveillance on its populace.
In Canada, you are required by law to carry valid ID from age 16 on, or you could be charged/arrested for vagrancy (believe it or not, a law that still exists in the books, but rarely enforced).
Subject: Re: The UK just became a "Big Brother" state
I suppose an ID card would be useful if there were any policemen on the beat to enforce it. What would be the point in carrying cards, that will cost people about £35, if nobody is available to look at them.
If proof of identity is needed then a birth certificate, passport or an electric bill is usually adequate.
There is opposition against David Blunkett (Home Secretary) who is in favour of ID cards.
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=402020§ion=news
Subject: Re: The UK just became a "Big Brother" state
I do not have a problem with the introduction of ID cards. It would suit me if I had just one card to carry and one number to learn.
Think about it. It could be your birth certificate, driving licence, cash point card, work I.d. card, everything. I hate all the bits and bobs I have to carry to prove to various people who I am.
I realise that such a catch all card would probably be ripe for stealing and illegal copies being made which is why it will never be introduced. So I guess I'd better find a purse with another slot to hold my I.D. card too.
Subject: Re: The UK just became a "Big Brother" state
Quoting:
I'm not surprised, in a country that has incredible amounts of video surveillance on its populace.
In Canada, you are required by law to carry valid ID from age 16 on, or you could be charged/arrested for vagrancy (believe it or not, a law that still exists in the books, but rarely enforced).
End Quote
As a fellow Canadian, I feel that is a dumb law.
Subject: Re: The UK just became a "Big Brother" state
Yep! Sound idea (fine by me), but will more than likely hit the buffers quicker than you can blink...civil liberties brigade doing their pieces, administration costs, forgeries, etc.
Yet another wonderful idea (and you can always waste public cash on 'ideas') from these bunch of clowns who are gradually losing the plot daily...
Subject: Re: The UK just became a "Big Brother" state
Quoting:
Yep! Sound idea (fine by me), but will more than likely hit the buffers quicker than you can blink...civil liberties brigade doing their pieces, administration costs, forgeries, etc.
End Quote
Any proof-of-identity card will only be as good as the identity check needed to get a new one... there'll be no time for any investigation, so no chance of spotting ringers, ergo no point in having a biometric check on the card.
Must own up to a conflict of interest here: most of what I've worked on in the past few years has either been with ID cards, biometrics or both. I've written two systems currently running in different African countries to verify fingerprints for social security claimants.. but I still think the idea is unworkable here.
Quoting:
Yet another wonderful idea (and you can always waste public cash on 'ideas') from these bunch of clowns who are gradually losing the plot daily...
End Quote
I'd disagree with you here.... use of the word "gradually" ;-)
Phil
Subject: Re: The UK just became a "Big Brother" state
Just a brief PS: it's odd, isn't it, that the Home Sec who's most intent upon introducing ID cards is the one who'll never see one...
Subject: Re: The UK just became a "Big Brother" state
Quoting:
As a fellow Canadian, I feel that is a dumb law.
End Quote
Yeah, it goes back to the depression era (1930's) as a way of keeping control of the unemployed.
Subject: Re: The UK just became a "Big Brother" state
I am in favour of ID cards personally.
As a non driver I find that I have tonnes of trouble providing ID - even to open an account at the local video store they demand photo id - ie drivers licence.
I have had to pay hundreds to keep a valid passport whether I plan to travel again or not I have to keep renewing it - and Australia has the most expensive passports in the world. And a passport doesnt exactly fit in your purse.
I have often thought life would be easier if you just got issued one single ID card that replaced the need for anything else.
As for the whole big brother issue - in Aus every single person of a working age (and some kids if they have trust income) has a tax file number. Attached to that number is a huge amount of info (I know cos I access peoples info allllll day). So basically every gov dept has as much info on you that they already want. No identity card is going to give them more info !
I am also a fan of dna and finger print recording.
I long for the day that a guy can get arrested at the scene of a crime and then they run his dna and whammo - up come the last 200 burgs he has committed and he can get charged for them too !!!!
I seriously dont care what the civil libertarians say about deprivation of liberty !!!!!!!!!!