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Originally Posted by Greg Pope
Hi
I think there's a danger of getting carried away here. I've seen the original e-mail that triggered this off and it is wrong in so many respects that I thought it was a spoof.
The main point of the ID card system isn't to combat terrorism, although it may help that at the margins, but to combat identity fraud which is a real and growing problem. We are all carrying around with us far more information about ourselves which is held by private companies than the ID card will hold - just think about credit cards, bank cards or store loyalty cards.
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Perhaps Greg would tell us how and where the article is wrong. I for one would welcome any reassurance on this, and I'm sure many other people would, too.
Entwisi is right about implementation, God help us all if the contract for this is given to Capita - the whole system will be completely messed up from the start.
The fact remains that, whatever information is kept on file at various organisations, this will be a central database covering EVERY aspect of our lives - with the possible prospect of becoming a "non-person" if you get something wrong - and who is to know what will eventually become wrong?
Identity fraud is increasing, yes, but we can all do something about it. A home shredder costs less than a tenner, and we routinely shred all our bank slips and documents at home. ID cards will not stop terrorism, our own home-grown terrorists will all have them, and will obviously take pains to keep their noses clean - they're hardly likely to nip to the local Tesco for a pound or two of Semtex.
I am still extremely concerned.