ID cards

[hunkermunker]

Nobody concerned about these?

Why do people believe the "they'll stop terrorism" line?

They're going to cost a fortune.

And it's spying on us.

they spy on us anyway.

I'm concerned and don't think they'll stop terrorism. Did you read Monbiot in the Obs on Sunday about implanted chips? There was a thread, everyone seemed to think it was no big deal, hang on, I'll see if I canfind it.

It's a crap idea and a waste of money!

I'm concerned about the cost. Just another way for Labour to f*ck people over. Stop terrorism my ass.

No, didn't read the article.

But it's like tagging.

They'll use RFID to track us. They will, they will, they will (a la Noddy).

Immigrants get them free though. Oh, that's not divisive. Makes even me pissed off, that one.

conservs are for it too.

think tis spying too.

I still don't understand how ID cards are meant to prevent terrorism. The guys who did the London bombings were legally in the UK, right? The 9/11 bombers had passports, why wouldn't they have ID cards?

Why the hell do they consider this necessary? Especially the bit about you need to buy one when you get a passport. Isn't a passport the ultimate in ID?? WTF? Sounds like another pork barrell project for someone's mate's company that we get to pay for.

here

The 9/11 terrorists WANTED to be identified, ffs.

They just want to keep tabs on us. It's like the ultimate nannycam.

what fairy mum said

That's just it, hunker, if a terrorist wants in, they'll find a legal way in, id cards or no. I mean, look at the 7/7 bombers! Home grown all the way.

I see no need for these damn ID cards and the cost is ridiculous.

Plus, using the same company that designed the tax credit computer system?!

Ever notice the number of threads on here from people who have been royally f*cked over by the tax credit system's computers?

Yeah, and you want THEM handling ID cards?!

NOT the best people to do it - did the CSA bid for the job, I wonder?!

There's no way that they are to stop terrorism, or make access to services easier, etc. It's all just arse.

I quite agree. Maybe the reason they're not being hotly debated on here is that most other people on here also agree, so it wouldn't be a very exciting discussion. The Register has been running some great stories on how unworkable and expensive ID cards would be from a techie perspective.

Previous discussions on here have included a lot of people saying "why worry about this if you don't have anything to hide" and similar. There certainly are people here who support ID cards, more CCTV etc.

OK I'm going to be the first to stick my head up and say that I think ID cards are a good idea, in principle, not on the basis that they are being proposed at the moment but ...

Firstly, those who think that the government are only proposing ID cards because they want to spy on us, what do you have to hide? Reality is that if the government wants to know what you're up to, they most likely already know anyway, and if they don't already know, if they have reason to suspect you, then they have ways of finding out.

Secondly, do you have a driver's licence? do you have a passport? if so you already have a form of photo ID.

Have you ever been to a shop to buy something, a mobile phone, something on interest free credit, open a bank account, and they've asked you for ID? How annoying is it to have to go home and find two pieces, one with your photo on it, and one with your address on it? So you have to go routing through your drawers to find an up-to-date electricity bill, and passport or drivers licence? If you have an ID card which you carry, you only have to present it, and your purchase will be approved without having to go through all the hastle.

How much does benefit fraud currently cost the government? If people who are claiming benefits had to claim using their ID cards, it would stop the thousands of people who currently claim benefits in more than one place, because they would be on record as claiming somewhere already, and if they tried to claim in someone else's name, that person would be on record as in gainful employment and therefore benefit fraud would be reduced signifficantly, not iradicated, but reduced.

How many under age kids are currently allowed into pubs/clubs/allowed to buy alcohol/cigarettes because they can present a fake ID? If we had ID cards this would no longer happen.

I don't agree that ID will stop terrorism,there has to be a convincing argument for that, but if terrorists want to come into the country and blow up innocent people then they will find a way to do that, but I do think that there are benefits to having ID cards. I also don't think that we should have to pay for them, and I do think that they should be compulsary, otherwise the system will be unworkable.

Firstly, I don't think I want to make it easier for the goverment to know what people are up to. I think privacy is a basic human right, one that we all deserve.

Secondly, I have a passport, from Canada. I have a driver's licence, from Canada. I rarely use either of them for anything. I don't have to present them to buy a mobile phone! Or get medical care! Or get on a bus!

I don't often have to provide ID. It's just for bank accounts, and yeah, that's a total hassle, but I don't want to spend £70 on a card to make this easier.

Benefit fraud costs quite a bit, but from what I've read 90% of it isn't about identity fraud, it's about people misrepresenting their circumstances.

Also, how will ID cards be non-fakeable? Every other kind of ID gets faked! I think ID cards will make identity theft easier, as people would no longer have to fake up utility bills and a passport or drivers license, they will just have to fake one ID card!

And if we're not going to pay for them, who will? Even if we don't have to pay £70 (or whatever) per card directly, it will come from our taxes, so either way, we're paying.

I don't mind the invasion of privacy thing. But, I do think I'm opposed to them based on the cost and (lack of) value. I wouldn't buy a car that doesn't tranport me from point a to point b, and I don't want to buy an ID card that isn't going to make us any safer.

Firstly it will be optional but before long we will have to get ID cards and then it will be made illegal for us not to carry them at all times and then we will have police stop-checks for ID cards due to the latest threat and the police will be able to type in our ID number and out will pop our race, religion, bank balence, sexual habits et al. The only people who think these cards are a good idea seem t

Oops cut off mid-flow there. As I was waffling, the people who want these cards always seem to be the nosy neighbour types who like to check what everyone else is up to.

I disagree with ID cards totally, the idea that it will stop terroroism id laughable and it seems to be totally unworkable, lets face it this goevernment hasn't been the best at setting up systems, tax credits anyone?

My main objection is that it's complusory through the back door. You don't have to have one, oh except you need one for a passport or a driving license, which I would estimate covers about 90% of the population.

Also, I strongly object to having to give biometric data to get one, since when was giving over your DNA a requisite to living in a FREE and liberal DEMOCRACY.

Have they come up with a price yet as to how much these things are going to cost us individually?

I wasn't against the idea to start with as most of Europe has ID cards but I wouldn't trust this government to organise a fart in a bean factory let alone something on this scale. And they say it won't be compulsory but when you renew your passport you must get one? So if you don't want one you have to stay in the country and never travel.

I know the details on the cards will be wrong and the people who do have wrong information will be truly **ed, I know the details will be sold to the highest bidder, I know the price will be astronomical.

Yes I have a drivers license, yes I have a passport. I do not need yet another card telling me who I am, especially not one with a bloody chip in it!

TIBS: the gov't says £70. The LSE says at least £170, more likely £230.

Why don't they combine this card with another existing one to save on cost? For example add this chip to the drivers license.