Identity Cards

BERNADETTE · 25-02-2010, 11:53

Got a letter this morning about the new identity cards. Was just wondering if you need a passport as well as an identity card as in the blurb it suggests they both have the same use throughout Europe. Anybody know if you need both or if an identity card will be acceptable instead of a passport?

entwisi · 25-02-2010, 11:57

they are only for certain countries so you would still need a passport for places like Tenerife that are outside EU and further flung like Tunisia, Egypt dom rep, cuba, mexico etc

IMHO they are not something I would even consider. Look at this Goverments record on losing personal data, do you really want all your biometric stuff in the hands of crooks?

Barrie Yates · 25-02-2010, 12:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by entwisi

they are only for certain countries so you would still need a passport for places like Tenerife that are outside EU and further flung like Tunisia, Egypt dom rep, cuba, mexico etc

IMHO they are not something I would even consider. Look at this Goverments record on losing personal data, do you really want all your biometric stuff in the hands of crooks?

ID cards are fine for access to other EU countries, not sure about Dependencies etc of EU Countries.

Biometric infromation is now included in new passports - same information that is going on the ID Cards.

I believe a new passport costs in the region of £90

Neil · 25-02-2010, 12:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by entwisi

Look at this Goverments record on losing personal data, do you really want all your biometric stuff in the hands of crooks?

Some would say the Government are the crooks.

I think we will have little choice soon.

BERNADETTE · 25-02-2010, 12:23

I don't have a problem with ID cards in fact I think they could be good for the country. Given where I will be travelling to and the vast difference in cost I may just go with the ID card. Will give it some more thought before making my mind up.

MargaretR · 25-02-2010, 12:29

As we are slaves to the system, we need branding/barcoding.
Once we have accepted ID cards, the next phase will be the ID implant

yerself · 25-02-2010, 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

the next phase will be the ID implant

Thought we already had that. Isn't it called DNA or something?

MargaretR · 25-02-2010, 12:40

RFID Chip in Humans

Since they are causing some health problems when used in pets, I won't be volunteering.

http://arstechnica.com/old/content/2004/10/4305.ars
extract-

In case it's not immediately obvious to you why you wouldn't want to walk around in public broadcasting your financial and/or medical information to anyone with an RFID reader, Bruce Schneier spells it all out for you in a great post on the Bush administration's plans to push for RFID-based passports. Here's a nice chunk of it, but you should read the whole thing.

These chips are like smart cards, but they can be read from a distance. A receiving device can "talk" to the chip remotely, without any need for physical contact, and get whatever information is on it. Passport officials envision being able to download the information on the chip simply by bringing it within a few centimeters of an electronic reader.

Unfortunately, RFID chips can be read by any reader, not just the ones at passport control. The upshot of this is that travelers carrying around RFID passports are broadcasting their identity.

Think about what that means for a minute. It means that passport holders are continuously broadcasting their name, nationality, age, address and whatever else is on the RFID chip. It means that anyone with a reader can learn that information, without the passport holder's knowledge or consent. It means that pickpockets, kidnappers and terrorists can easily--and surreptitiously--pick Americans or nationals of other participating countries out of a crowd.

It is a clear threat to both privacy and personal safety, and quite simply, that is why it is bad idea. Proponents of the system claim that the chips can be read only from within a distance of a few centimeters, so there is no potential for abuse. This is a spectacularly naive claim. All wireless protocols can work at much longer ranges than specified. In tests, RFID chips have been read by receivers 20 meters away. Improvements in technology are inevitable.

Do you really want to walk in and apply for a job knowing that you're broadcasting details about a heart condition/HIV infection/cancer history/etc. to everyone within 20 meters, including the people who are considering whether or not to hire you and pay your medical insurance and sick leave? Do you really want to walk down a crowded street broadcasting financial data of any kind to God knows who? Is it really a good idea to broadcast personal identification information to anyone and everyone, when identity theft is one of the country's fastest growing crimes?

Ken Moss · 25-02-2010, 12:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by yerself

Thought we already had that. Isn't it called DNA or something?

Yes, the one unique identifier that could be used very effectively as the biggest crime deterrent possible if someone could work out a flawless system.

ID cards and passports can be forged, as we have found recently. It's a clever man that can tamper with his own DNA.

Incidentally, nice avatar. Aren't there rules about bad language on this forum, though???

MargaretR · 25-02-2010, 13:10

Your DNA can mutate
Mitochondrial DNA - Genetics Home Reference

Margaret Pilkington · 25-02-2010, 13:24

My passport runs out next January, I may not renew it if you have to buy one of these wretched identity cards too.(which is what was being proposed at one point)
I do not trust the government to safely store my biometric data on a card....and I do not want or need an identity card.