News and Politics | June 08, 2008 | 27 comments

British MPs: ID cards 'could threaten privacy'

source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7441693.stm

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The government should limit the data it collects on citizens for its ID card scheme to avoid creating a surveillance society, a group of MPs has warned.

The home affairs select committee called for proper safeguards on the plans for compulsory ID cards to stop "function creep" threatening privacy. It wants a guarantee the scheme will not be expanded without MPs' approval. The Ministry of Justice said it had to balance protecting the public with protecting a right to privacy.

The Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said that many people welcomed the use of devices such as CCTV cameras.

The National Identity Scheme is due to start rolling out later this year, and will eventually hold details on everyone in Britain over the age of 16.
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27 comments // British MPs: ID cards 'could threaten privacy'

  • MissAmanda
    • 0
      MissAmanda  

    • i have a drivers licence, social security card, insurance card, school id, passport...

      ...noone needs any other form of identification from me thank you very much.

    • 3 years ago
  • Not_Doody
  • ZiaHacker
  • Colonial_Zombie
  • J_Jammer
  • ZiaHacker
  • samanthadian
    • 0
      samanthadian  

    • To be compleatly honest, I really don't see the problem with this. Invasion of privacy? Unless they are asking what STD's you have or what is your most embarrasing moment, I really don't see it as an invasion of privacy. What is an invasion of privacy is all the identity theft that is going on these days. The moment you supply any personal information about yourself on the internet is the moment you disavow the privacy argument. If you are on the grid, you are part of the grid. I'm not saying that "big brother is watching" is positive but I agree with the point made in the article. Hold the government in check with the information it gets and regulate. A national ID card requires a lot more regulation than I think the government is expecting

    • 3 years ago
  • onechance
  • ipodrulz
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  

    • What is this? What is it for? I read that article and it didn't specify anything.

      Is it suppose to protect people from themselves? Help the min medical emergencies so that when they go to a hospital they can scan the card and find out what you're allergic to, what you want to not be applied, who to contact?

      People who abide by the laws were not the reason the laws were created. Those that don't abide are the reasons for the law. Meaning if there was no law those who follow the law were already following it prior to their being a law and those that weren't aren't going to even if there were a billion laws.

      Really most laws are a burden on those that actually do their civic duty while others get away with, well, murder.

    • 3 years ago
  • ctrl_alt_del
  • AnemicElitist
    • 0
      AnemicElitist  

    • Why aren't more people outraged over this? Governments are using "terrorism" and "safety" as excuses to turn citizens into puppets and strangle what little freedom anyone has left. Can't say what you want, the government might find out. Can't go where you want, you might be deemed "suspicious". Big Brother arrived faster than I think anyone expected. Except maybe Orwell ;)

      What can we do about it, go underground? I'll be out protesting when it rolls around to the U.S.

    • 3 years ago
  • cerealforeal
  • huntre
    • 0
      huntre  

    • Stop using ID's, spend with cash and tell everyone who doesn't know you already that your name is Sarah or Champ,...depending.
      That'll show 'em.

    • 3 years ago
  • Cosmo_Plavix
  • samanthadian
    • 0
      samanthadian  
    • Cosmo_Plavix:

      in·ev·i·ta·ble Audio Help /ɪnˈɛvɪtəbəl/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[in-ev-i-tuh-buhl] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
      –adjective 1. unable to be avoided, evaded, or escaped; certain; necessary: an inevitable conclusion.
      2. sure to occur, happen, or come; unalterable: The inevitable end of human life is death.
      –noun 3. that which is unavoidable.

    • 3 years ago
  • ipodrulz
  • samanthadian
  • samanthadian
  • colmor
  • Eirianallt
  • ZiaHacker
  • cubbingabout
  • cubbingabout
  • colmor
    • 0
      colmor  

    • V.E.R.I. chips are next... I.D. chips with all your I.D. have been developed and are being implanted in American people as we speak. The government will be able to trace you no matter where you go, you will have no privacy at all and you won't be able to access your bank account without one.

    • 3 years ago
  • phillyharper
    • 0
      phillyharper  

    • The logic that "if you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to worry about" often gets used to justify the ID cards. My concern is that under that same logic people could justify people being questioned by the police over and over again, or being put through an intense process of questioning.

      Do the cards treat everyone as potential suspects? If they are purely for ID how do they differ from passports?

    • 3 years ago
  • 1percent
    • 0
      1percent  

    • I can see the Brits are as Free as us Americans.....

      Free to do what your told....

      Sorry, I must go. The Ministry of Truth is calling....

    • 3 years ago
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