Peter21

Here is the item about new British ID cards:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4856074.stm

Sounds like they will be in place by 2010.


Any idea if we will need to get one to use NHS or to get our pensions? What will they be used for?

BigDavyG

Hopefully this will fall flat on its face when they try to impliment it.
No doubt IBM, Accenture or whatever bunch of conmen is suits they get in will make a pig's ear of things.

Peter21

Yeah, sounds like only those that renew passports will have to get one. So that means lots of people won't get one and if that is the case, what can the ID cards be compulsory for?

Jerseygirl

Hope you never try to get a job with any of the companies you keep naming.

BigDavyG

I used to think it would be a good idea until I started working with consultants myself

fatbrit

You also have to be resident to get one. So presumably most of us won't have one.

Jerseygirl

Well just in case you change your mind you might want to keep the names to yourself.

Eskimo

why ??

fatbrit

Think the worrying thing with the UK ones is the plan to link them to other databases. On mainland Europe, there is often specific legislation to stop this happening.

Be a better idea just to beef up the application procedure for a driving license and provide a non-driver license as well. Then you could do it without being so sinisterly big brotherish.

Eskimo

am I very naive if I'm in the "nothing to hide nothing to worry about " camp ?

fatbrit

Yep! You trust the government to work in your best interest, do you?

Jerseygirl

Well that makes 2 of us then.

fatbrit

Hope you don't mind the Daily Mail as a source? It was the "Feeling Lucky" choice at Google.

DVLA sells your details to criminals

Lion in Winter

The principle of liberty from government surveillance is important. It's not a matter of whether you've done anything wrong, but of whether you want a government body to collect all this data and be able to demand that you present said card whether you have done anything wrong or not. Personally, I even get annoyed when I got to a shop where you have to show your receipt and have your stuff checked just to leave, although I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide.

In addition, nobody has been able to come up with any evidence that such record keeping will actually make anyone any safer.

Jerseygirl

I was holding my breath waiting for what you were going to come up with. LOL