Phil’s Diary - [Blog @ http://www.philsdiary.net/]
Since the government have been relected, their ID card scheme has been re-released (it got temporarily forgotten just before the election). It has many people against it, not least because of invasion of privacy, and the thought of the government and it’s agencys having access to a database (of dubious accuracy going on their other systems), containing rather handy info about every UK citizen.
The usual argument is wheeled out (the only people who can object are those doing something wrong). And argument that while on the surface true, seems to be wheeled out as a defence for every slightly controversial law the country introduces.
In principle I’ve not real objection to carrying round some ID. I do it already in essence with bank cards, driving license etc.
I think the reason I have a problem is that I really don’t see the upsides to it. It won’t replace all those other bits of ID I have. I don’t often need to prove my ID, but when I have, my driving license was usually enough.
And for some reason it’ll cost me 85quid for this card.
So there’s no real benefit to me. It costs me 85quid. And I then have to worry about an innacurate database being used for things I’d rather they didn’t.
I don’t have anything to hide.
And I’m pretty sure that the main argument banded about for these cards will prove to be a waste of time. Terrorists et al, have probably the determination and resources to fake cards, if needed, thus rendering the whole scheme a waste of time.
I have a sneaky suspicion that the whole reason it’s being pushed so hard by the government is for all the behind the scenes, not mentioned MI5 type reasons.
Posted by Phil on May 24, 2005 09:58 PM | Categories: Thoughts
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I fear the "National ID." It is a means of CONTROL! for the variously euphemized Ministries of State Security (Dept. of Homeland Security in US). The "National ID" is just the camel's nose in the tent. The logical progression from that is an RFID chip implanted at birth (the modern equivalent of a number tattooed on the left forearm - remember?) (removal a capital crime) linked to a massive database of personal information, and electronic checkpoints at every crossroads plus a GPS transponder in the RFID chip to track every movement of the individual - and at what speed the individual is moving (and automatic fines imposed if he/she/it is moving faster than the speed limit at that GPS location. No appeal. Computers do not err. The Gestapo equivalent will not even have to ask "papiern, bitte." - merely activate the RFID transponder. If you are out of line by an inch - off to the slammer until it can be sorted out (rather like the TSA Authority in the US). "If you are innocent you have nothing to fear" - Bullshit. It is only the criminals with flawlessly forged RFIDs that have nothing to fear.
Regards,
J H RICKETSON
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[JHR@WarlockLtd.com]
Posted by: J H RICKETSON at May 27, 2005 5:45 AM
And just wait till someone breaks in into the database and publishes the results.
Posted by: sjon at May 26, 2005 7:08 AM