Blunkett’s Shame
I was reading both The Register’s most recent article and the NO2ID site (as posted on Cult Of The Inept) about that state-sponsored paranoid, David Blunkett, and his recent ID card bullshit, and thought I’d put in my 2p.
From the BBC News article “Blunkett concern on loyalty cards“:
In a speech, Mr Blunkett said the cards produced key details about people’s shopping habits but were accepted because they were run by private firms.
People should not distrust ID cards because they are a state idea, he said.
Now, forgive me if I’m being a complete moron, but the whole point of loyalty cards is choice. People choose to have a loyalty card. A loyalty card offers benefits for holders willing to have data about their shopping habits aggregated and data-mined.
A loyalty card isn’t compulsory to buy from a shop, whereas an ID card would be compulsory for just living in the UK, for accessing health, benefits and other government services.
Can’t that paranoid man tell the bloody difference?
I’d be happy to have a Boots Advantage card and for them to know what brand of deodorant I prefer, especially if it lets me get a free pack of razors every couple of months, whereas with a compulsory ID card I’d have to present it to any Tom, Dick or Harry with a public services badge whenever they damn well asked for it.