I believe a national ID card system is a good thing and only those with something to hide need fear it.
This attitude really does astound me. Also it beggars belief that people cannot grasp the reality of such a scheme.
1. The principle proponent of the ID scheme, a certain Labour minister, is the majority shareholder of the company selected to manage the ID card scheme.
2. the government has already entered into discussions to raise funds by "making the data available for individualised communication delivering value for money". in other words selling the data for marketing
3. the secondary stage of the id scheme is already in progress. which is to cross reference stored data between different agencies and groups. this is to enable the construction of profiles for individuals based on shopping habits, travel habits and anything else that is recordable.
4. the oyster card system, in use on London transport records every journey made with that card and stored. The metropolitan police have made over 250 applications for data in specific individuals movements. none have been refused.
Movement of mobile phones between cells is recorded and stored and available. yes, the movements of your cellphone are recorded and stored. This is why the government is pushing for legislation for all mobile phone numbers to be cross referenced with a passport.
5. the congestion charge cameras in London record and track vehicle movements 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and stored.
6. the use of data mining is already under development in order to profile individuals for preemption of determining 'potential' to commit crime. oh yes.. this IS under development, read the freaking news.
7. identity theft is nothing new, it has been going on for centuries. it has become more prevalent now due to the amount of data that is stored on individuals and the ease of access as this data can be accessed through many different aspects in the public domain.
8. the biometric passports and id card system chips can be read by equipment easily available in electronic retailers. this information can be read by as far away as 10 ft.
you walk though a crowd with a reader in your bag how many ID's will you be able to access and store the information from ? think about it.
9. we have all encountered incorrect information about ourselves held on computer, because it's on computer doesn't mean it is correct. but you try and get it rectified.
10. in respect of the prevention of crime or illegal immigration, this is just politics of fear. the reality is, if someone wants to engage in criminal activity, they wont be using their ID, they will be using YOURS.
11. the government has systematically proven it is incapable of managing secure data. in the past year the government has lost data on over 50 million people in this country, including armed service personnel, minors, pensioners, drivers, social security recipients and so on and so.
furthermore, the government has lied to the population about the id card system and its uses.
The id card system does nothing to negate the potential of false identity, in fact quite the opposite, it actually provides easier access for the duplication of personal data for use in untoward activities.
Are you aware that the inland revenue is provided access to store card and loyalty card information which is cross referenced with your tax information. what you spend and you nectar points, or whatever, are determined by the inland revenue if it fits with what you earn and what your disclosed savings are.
as above, if some wants engage in criminal activity, they will use YOUR identity, not their own and your identity information is too easily accessible for any benefit to reduce criminality or increase security.
Am I against ID cards. You bet. For the simple reasons;
1. the security of this country
2. for law enforcement to be effective
3. democracy and freedom of movement.
4. presumption of innocence until proven guilty, not the other way round.
Yes BALPA and everyone else should be against this. If someone wants to enagage in criminal activity at an airport, i dont want them using my ID and to be frank, neither do the police, it wastes their time and resources chasing a dead end or an innocent who has had their identity duplicated without their knowledge.