Britain unveils new ID card amid criticism

**Harpoon** · 09-25-2008, 04:40 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080925/...QPsgNAt 0bBAF

By Michael Holden 1 hour, 8 minutes ago

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain unveiled its new biometric identity card on Thursday which the government says will be vital in fighting illegal immigration and terrorism, while critics call it an expensive attack on civil liberties.
ADVERTISEMENT

The controversial multi-billion pound scheme, which involves one of the world's most ambitious biometric projects, will see ID cards used in Britain for the first time since they were abolished after World War Two.

Initially only foreign nationals from outside the European Economic Area will be required to have one if they come to Britain to work or study, but the scheme will be expanded to Britons and some others over the next few years.

"We all want to see our borders more secure, and human trafficking, organized immigration crime, illegal working and benefit fraud tackled," said Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.

"ID cards for foreign nationals, in locking people to one identity, will deliver in all these areas."

Despite a series of embarrassing data losses recently, including the admission that the personal details of half the population had been mislaid, the government insists that both the cards and their related databases will be secure.

But critics of the cards, which will contain personal details, fingerprints and a facial image, remain unimpressed.

Both major opposition parties have vowed to ditch cards for Britons should they win power, and with the Labour government trailing in the polls, the 4.7 billion pound national identity scheme's days may already be numbered.

"It does not matter how fancy the design of ID cards is, they remain a grotesque intrusion on the liberty of the British people," said Chris Huhne, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman.

"When voting adults are forced to carry ID cards, this scheme will prove to be a laminated poll tax," he added, referring to the local charge whose massive unpopularity led to Margaret Thatcher being ousted as prime minister.

The first cards for foreign nationals will be issued in November while from next year anyone working in sensitive areas, such as airport staff, will need one at a cost of 30 pounds.

Smith said opinion polls showed the majority of the public supported the cards and that people would warm to them once they saw the advantages, allowing them to easily verify who they are and helping the authorities at the same time.

Legmann · 09-25-2008, 09:33 PM

I will guarantee some clever crooks out there will find a way to counterfeit it.

**PorkChopSandwiches** · 09-25-2008, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harpoon

This is my favorite part

Lee Is Bob · 09-25-2008, 09:39 PM

I will throw mine away or refuse to pay for one

as mikey rourke said in angel heart

" I KNOW WHO I AM"

**Harpoon** · 09-25-2008, 09:42 PM

Its for your benefit though Lee... It makes people not carrying one crinminimals

Lee Is Bob · 09-25-2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harpoon

Its for your benefit though Lee... It makes people not carrying one crinminimals

actually it is another form of BB

**Harpoon** · 09-25-2008, 09:48 PM

Over here it would be a great way to control illegals...

Legmann · 09-25-2008, 09:49 PM

In The States, almost everyone carries ID, at the very least, a driver's license or state ID. Upon demand, whether by police or check cashing institutions, we must be prepared to show them.

How is the British ID different?

Lee Is Bob · 09-25-2008, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harpoon

Over here it would be a great way to control illegals...

thats one way that the goverment have put it forward i believe that is complet bullshit

it's a stealth tax and it has all your personal business on them

BlobbyBob · 09-25-2008, 09:55 PM

As long as they give them out free then I'll gladly have one. I'd be glad of it because I don't drive and have no easy form of ID to carry with me (besides my passport - which I don't want to carry everywhere, nor do I look like the photo on anymore)

Lee Is Bob · 09-25-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlobbyBob

As long as they give them out free then I'll gladly have one. I'd be glad of it because I don't drive and have no easy form of ID to carry with me (besides my passport - which I don't want to carry everywhere, nor do I look like the photo on anymore)

No wonder looking at your av

**Harpoon** · 09-25-2008, 10:03 PM

HAhahahahaa

marquis · 09-26-2008, 09:40 AM

There's all the difference in the world between choosing to carry ID and being forced to.It infringes hard fought civil liberties.
I doubt whether it will help in the fight against terrorism or organised crime, in fact I see it as a gift to organisations with resources.These will be able to forge cards, possibly by identity theft , which will "prove" that they are somebody else.

09-25-2008, 04:40 PM	#1
Harpoon Porkys Disciple Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: On top of the Heap Posts: 50,857 Thanks: 50 Thanked 22 Times in 13 Posts	Britain unveils new ID card amid criticism http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080925/...QPsgNAt 0bBAF By Michael Holden 1 hour, 8 minutes ago LONDON (Reuters) - Britain unveiled its new biometric identity card on Thursday which the government says will be vital in fighting illegal immigration and terrorism, while critics call it an expensive attack on civil liberties. ADVERTISEMENT The controversial multi-billion pound scheme, which involves one of the world's most ambitious biometric projects, will see ID cards used in Britain for the first time since they were abolished after World War Two. Initially only foreign nationals from outside the European Economic Area will be required to have one if they come to Britain to work or study, but the scheme will be expanded to Britons and some others over the next few years. "We all want to see our borders more secure, and human trafficking, organized immigration crime, illegal working and benefit fraud tackled," said Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. "ID cards for foreign nationals, in locking people to one identity, will deliver in all these areas." Despite a series of embarrassing data losses recently, including the admission that the personal details of half the population had been mislaid, the government insists that both the cards and their related databases will be secure. But critics of the cards, which will contain personal details, fingerprints and a facial image, remain unimpressed. Both major opposition parties have vowed to ditch cards for Britons should they win power, and with the Labour government trailing in the polls, the 4.7 billion pound national identity scheme's days may already be numbered. "It does not matter how fancy the design of ID cards is, they remain a grotesque intrusion on the liberty of the British people," said Chris Huhne, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman. "When voting adults are forced to carry ID cards, this scheme will prove to be a laminated poll tax," he added, referring to the local charge whose massive unpopularity led to Margaret Thatcher being ousted as prime minister. The first cards for foreign nationals will be issued in November while from next year anyone working in sensitive areas, such as airport staff, will need one at a cost of 30 pounds. Smith said opinion polls showed the majority of the public supported the cards and that people would warm to them once they saw the advantages, allowing them to easily verify who they are and helping the authorities at the same time. __________________ .

09-25-2008, 09:33 PM	#2
Legmann Perceptum quod lucror! Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 41,229 Thanks: 405 Thanked 1,574 Times in 831 Posts	I will guarantee some clever crooks out there will find a way to counterfeit it. __________________

09-25-2008, 09:39 PM	#4
Lee Is Bob Ron You Are My Hero Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 38,806 Thanks: 34 Thanked 591 Times in 248 Posts	I will throw mine away or refuse to pay for one as mikey rourke said in angel heart " I KNOW WHO I AM" __________________

09-25-2008, 09:42 PM	#5
Harpoon Porkys Disciple Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: On top of the Heap Posts: 50,857 Thanks: 50 Thanked 22 Times in 13 Posts	Its for your benefit though Lee... It makes people not carrying one crinminimals __________________ .

09-25-2008, 09:48 PM	#7
Harpoon Porkys Disciple Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: On top of the Heap Posts: 50,857 Thanks: 50 Thanked 22 Times in 13 Posts	Over here it would be a great way to control illegals... __________________ .

09-25-2008, 09:49 PM	#8
Legmann Perceptum quod lucror! Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 41,229 Thanks: 405 Thanked 1,574 Times in 831 Posts	In The States, almost everyone carries ID, at the very least, a driver's license or state ID. Upon demand, whether by police or check cashing institutions, we must be prepared to show them. How is the British ID different? __________________

09-25-2008, 09:55 PM	#10
BlobbyBob Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 874 Thanks: 1 Thanked 9 Times in 3 Posts	As long as they give them out free then I'll gladly have one. I'd be glad of it because I don't drive and have no easy form of ID to carry with me (besides my passport - which I don't want to carry everywhere, nor do I look like the photo on anymore) __________________ Oh patron saint of lonely souls, tell this boy which way to go. Guide the car, you got the keys, farewell to mediocrity. Kicking off the cruise control and turning up the radio. Got just enough religion and a half a tank of gas. Come on, let's go!

09-25-2008, 10:03 PM	#12
Harpoon Porkys Disciple Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: On top of the Heap Posts: 50,857 Thanks: 50 Thanked 22 Times in 13 Posts	HAhahahahaa __________________ .

09-26-2008, 09:40 AM	#13
marquis Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,484 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	There's all the difference in the world between choosing to carry ID and being forced to.It infringes hard fought civil liberties. I doubt whether it will help in the fight against terrorism or organised crime, in fact I see it as a gift to organisations with resources.These will be able to forge cards, possibly by identity theft , which will "prove" that they are somebody else.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
McCain Seeks to Delay First Debate Amid Financial Crisis	Nemowork	News and Views	27	09-25-2008 05:22 PM
TNK-BP CFO resigns amid shareholder row	TheLancinator	News and Views	0	08-04-2008 01:17 PM
Mugabe defiant as criticism grows	Velvet	News and Views	2	06-25-2008 11:19 AM
Genetically modified human embryo stirs criticism	Prof Maxwell	News and Views	12	05-14-2008 06:58 AM