What do people think of the ID Card scheme?

Question

Is it a great idea to beat terror/fraud or unwelcome invasion of privacy by state?

Answer 1

Unwelcome invasion of privacy, blatantly. The ID card will never ever defeat fraud, it'll only make it easier because all your details will be stored in one place. All someone has to do is nab your card and you're fcuked my son! And as for defeating terrorism, there's only one way we'll do that: blow the hell out of parliament and 10 Downing street!!

Answer 2

It's a further erosion of our civil rights, and will on no count do anything to affect terrorist attacks and activities (the Basque separatists in spain had ID cards!!). The worst part being that our personal data (shopping habits etc.) can be purchased by companies for marketing purposes (like we don't have enough people phoning us trying to sell us things we don't want as it is).

The erosion of our civil rights has been going on since the introduction of the criminal justice bill and has been taken further still with the anti terrorism act. Both of these have clauses in which, if put into effect, would severley reduce our civil rights. We could be talking about loosing freedom of speech at some point.

We have more CCTV cameras per capita than any other country.

Read 1984, it's a frighteningly accurate portrayal of the future, even if the year is a bit out.

Watch out for the book burning parties too.

Answer 3

Its a crap idea, it will be hugely expensive, and not work. Just look at the huge success that the government has with the immigration service, prison records, tax credits and child support agency computer systems, all of which COMBINED would be dwarfed by the system needed to issue and operate biometric id card system.
It wont help stop terrorism, (since all the 7/7 bombers would have had id cards anyway) and it will add to fraud, as its just another thing to forge/sell on.
I thought this IT sellers and home secretary wet dream had been scrapped anyway, or am i wrong?

Answer 4

I think it is agreat idea. The only info that will be available to anyone who has snatched it is your name and address. All the other info will be held on computer somewhere so the card can't be used by anyone else.

Most people argue that everyone has passports and driving licenses. Not true my sister has neither as she has never wanted to drive and has never been abroad. Her national insurance card only has her name on it not a photo so this could be used against her if ever she lost it, if someone wanted to work illegally. If it came with a photo then it would be useless.

It would also be great for my son to prove his age. People don't take Student Union Cards as proof of age even though you have to be 16 to be a college student!! He is almost 18 and still cant get lottery tickets as he looks very young.

Answer 5

Well I've nothing to hide....so I don't mind carrying one.....

personally I think all babies dna should be stored from the heel prick test.... this should be the only proof of ID when you apply for a passport, driving licence, benefits etc.

It won't stop terrorism, but would help to combat other crimes and frauds... if a UK citizen is intent on walking on to a packed tube train and blowing themselves up there isn't a card in the world that can prevent it.

Answer 6

Out comes the old one (see above): "If you're law abiding etc you don't need one.." COME ON - you've already got everything from credit cards to medical cards, reward cards, season tickets (in London 'Oyster Cards') and with those alone they know who you are, where you live, where you work, what you eat, what you wear, what else you buy, where you visit and even if you've got a dose or not. Consequently I cannot see the purpose of having any more ID. Undesirables (illegals, would be terrorists and whatever else you can think of in the way of flotsam and jetsom) will all easily get hold of false ID papers - they do it already, don't they? So, it's a "NO" vote from me, thank you.

Answer 7

It's a load of crap. A complete invasion of the individuals right to privacy. The government already has all are information in way or another.

The scheme is going to be pricey - at least £200 a time.

Answer 8

I think they are a good idea in theory, but it's just the application.

We already have photo-id driving licences and passports.

I have no problem combining the two into one card containing my bio-metric data.

I also don't think it's an invasion of my privacy. To enjoy life in a democratic state, we do need to have some controls in place to protect us.

Answer 9

Well, we're one of the few countries without them as standard and we seem to suffer with enough problems with illegal immigrants, terrorism, underage drinking, benefit evaders ect - if there was a straighforward way of identifying people on the spot we could start working on some of those problems...
Most of our personal info is already on file at banks, tax offices, hospitals etc anyway, so I don't see it as an invasion of privacy at all....

Answer 10

Hi! Most of us have passports which are scanned so "Big Brother" knows which country we are in - more and more of us have computers these days - and if "Big Brother" wanted to know about you then they can use that way without us even knowing..The ID card is ok! if you are 100% legit.! a good honest law abiding tax payer.. The nasty and down right ridiculous thing about it is ... Joe Public has to pay for one..if Big Brother wishes to spy ..sorry.. keep track of us - dont you think they should pay for the privilege.