Longrider

1
Dec
2004

Financial Times Comment on ID Cards

Filed under: Civil Liberties — Longrider @ 19:11 pm

Today the Financial Times wades into the ID card debate. It is nothing new to those of us who have been following it since Big Blunkett first announced his intentions shortly after September 11th 2001. Yet, using the government’s own tactics of repeating the points often enough until they take root, here goes.

The FT repeats the exposure of the government’s lies about protection from terrorism by pointing out that both Blair and Blunkett have at various times been forced to admit that it won’t make us safer from terrorism:

“ID cards, as the prime minister and home secretary both say, are no guarantee of security. The terrorists who attacked the US on September 11 2001 travelled under their own identities. The Madrid bombers were not deterred by Spain’s ID cards.”

They also point out that even without cards, emergency cases will still be afforded access to NHS services as will people visiting - who may or may not be about to perpetrate a terrorist offence.

“As for welfare fraud, sick people are unlikely to be refused medical treatment because they cannot produce a card - and nor will the penniless be left to starve. And since false passports and false driving licences are readily available, ID cards will be no guarantee against forged identity.”

Significantly they give lie to Blunkett’s assertion that it will make us more safe from identity theft when the reality is that the opposite is the case.

“Indeed, identity theft could become easier if ID cards are accepted as sole proof of identity. And criminals will quickly get access to the national identity register - as they already do to other government databases.”

In summary they point out that the government could pay dearly at the polls. Like, perhaps, the Australia Card in the late eighties, where the threat of massive rejection and civil disobedience forced a humiliating climb-down and fall of the government. My only concern would be what replaces it.
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Copyright©2004 Longrider

1
Dec
2004

Civil Servants Beware

Filed under: Civil Liberties — Longrider @ 08:46 am

Over at Spyblog, there is a question posed about penalties in the ID Cards Bill. The question being, what happens if a civil servant or contractor accidentally causes the computer system to crash, causing loss of data? 10 years inside, it would seem - at least that’s how the bill seems to be able to be interpreted.

That cuddly bunny of a Home Secretary, Big Blunkett couldn’t possibly be so draconian, could he? Oh yes he could….
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Copyright©2004 Longrider

1
Dec
2004

The ID Cards Bill

Filed under: Civil Liberties — Longrider @ 08:30 am

Just so’s you are aware of what Big Blunkett wants to keep on file. Here’s a link to the Bill. Schedule 1 has all the information they want to include about us.
Identity Cards Bill

Schedule 1, Sub-section 9 (at the bottom of the page) is where it gets interesting (if you stayed awake that long) as it outlines what they will be keeping tabs on;

  • particulars of every occasion on which information contained in the individual’s entry has been provided to a person;
  • particulars of every person to whom such information has been provided on such an occasion;
  • other particulars, in relation to each such occasion, of the provision of the information.

In plain English, this means that every time you use the card, they will be monitoring - so every time you visit your GP, for example. Oh, and if you forget to tell them that you’ve moved house, that’s a £1000 fine, thankyou very much.

Big Brother is watching you!

Copyright©2004 Longrider

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