I D Cards

[karabulut]

I was just wondering what the consensus amongst ABers was about the impending introduction of ID cards here in the UK...?

[hinge1967]

Completely opposed, and the fact that the the information commissioner said he feared the UK was in danger of becoming a "surveillance society" should raise the hairs on the back of everyone's necks. Britain is slowly developing a disturbing human rights record and we are seeing more and more freedoms being taken away from people with out evidence or due process.

And to directly pay for the privilage as well...........gobsmacked!

[B00]

I personally dont have a problem with them- however I WILL have a problem if the cost of them is sky high, did I hear something about �30ish, or am I dreaming that bit?

[shaneystar]

I have already got one issued in 1949.
I am in complete agreement with hinge1967.We are snooped and spied upon enough already.

[druiaghtagh]

I am most definitely opposed, it all a bit too much George Orwell ish and i believe Boo that the latest cost estimate is �300, no chance !!!

[karabulut]

Nice one hinge...Couldn't have put it better myself!

[Oneeyedvic]

I agree that this is a terrible idea.....

[purpose]

OPPOSED!!!

What exactly IS the point, anyway? I mean... aren't there enough rules and regulations and paperwork lunatics running this country already?

Why do we 'need' them? I can live perfectly well without one, in fact, I have been doing so for 34 years. Why would I want one now?????

[jno]

In theory, a bad idea. But... you already need a passport to go abroad, a licence to drive... Supermarket loyalty cards track your every purchase... CCTVs watch you everywhere you go... Just how much difference will ID cards make in reality?

[jacey]

 completely opposed!  and also with the MICROCHIP wheelie bins !!!!!!!

[acw]

My only problem with the is the cost.  I do feel that money could probably be better spent elsewhere.  However, in principal I'm not bothered - as I have nothing to hide.  I agree we should protect our own human rights but I personally worry more about human rights in countries like Zimbabwe than in the UK. 

The Germans have all had to carry their Ausweis with them for years, and they don't feel oppressed - it's just something else that goes in your pocket/wallet/handbag. 

[jno]

acw I'm worried about your principles.

[mystress]

Not right in principle

Won't stop terrorism

Really to keep track of us

Why should we have to pay

I could go on and on,but it would be boring!

Suffice it to say count me in with the NO's

[netibiza]

I think the Brits are over reacting to all this.  Many of us on the continent have lived with ID cards for a long time and have no problem with them.  Would also be good if one's medical history was put on them for an emergency.

[acw]

jno - what do you mean?  That I had the cheek to disagree with the majority?  Or that I feel I have nothing to hide?  I just feel that they've been ok on the continent and also that there are far worse breaches of human rights going on in the world than ID cards. 

[secretsquiz]

i'm undecided on the issue so far, but maybe you can answer some questions for me...

other than the cost, what are the negative implications? and i'm hoping for something more specific than 'ooh, human rights' and 'how dare they take our civil liberties', etc.

nobody seems to give any specific arguments against them. to quote some of the postings below (not picking on anyone in particular)...

'surveillance society', 'freedoms being taken away from people', 'snooped and spied on', 'george orwell-ish'.

we've already got the things jno mentioned (cctv etc.), so what's the problem.

i guess i'm really asking... how would the introduction of ID cards adversely affect me?

[stevie21]

They will have no impact at all on identity theft. It'll be as easy to apply for an ID card in someone else's name as it is now to get a passport or driving licence in another's name today.
The ease of this was illustrated by "MacIntyre Undercover" who got a provisional licence in David Blunkett's name and also a raft of ID in some author's name.

Unless we're all DNA tested and sampled at birth, this is stored on an ID card and we can then later have on the spot DNA tests I think they're doomed to being as efficient and useful as the CSA.

In principle I have nothing against them, but I know they won't work.

[jno]

acw (sorry to hijack the thread karabulut) - only worry about your 'principals' is your spelling of them!

[acw]

Oh goodness yes! Typo alert! My bad! sorry!