More ID lies
The recent MORI poll on ID cards is stupid.
Q3a For what reasons are you in favour of a national identity card scheme?
Preventing illegal immigration
Lie - Illegal immigration takes place outside of the confines of the standard channels which are already subject to passport controls.
Easier to detect and arrest criminals
Lie - Criminals will not be presenting ID cards when committing crimes.
Making it easy to prove who you are, for example if registering with a new doctor, applying for a credit card or joining a new video shop
Fair
Stopping people applying for services/goods/money fraudulently in your name
Lie - This would only apply if all service providers accept only an ID card as identification. Other forms of ID can be easily forged.
Having one card to act as ID, passport and driving licence
Lie - although this is a matter of convenience, not security. Passports and driving licences perform separate functions and do so adequately.
Preventing terrorism
Lie - Terrorists do not show ID when buying the plastic explosive to build their bombs. And look what’s already happened in Spain and Russia, both of which already have (for some time) had compulsory identification schemes.
Stopping people claiming benefits to which they are not entitled
Lie - The current benefits system should already have this in place.
Being able to prove your age
Fair
Preventing black-market working
Lie - Illegal employment is not done by legitimate companies.
Reducing the time spent at immigration control at airports, ports etc
Lie - Really? How would an ID card be any faster than a passport?
Carrying important medical information around with you, such as blood type, allergies, etc, in case you are involved in an accident
Lie - If you have a condition that would require information to be passed to medical staff before treatment, you should already have this. If not, why not? Your life may depend on it.
If you have nothing to hide there shouldn’t be a problem
Lie - If you think this is true, then you should go immediately to your nearest police station with copies of your house and car keys, a list of your bank/insurance/etc details, internet and email passwords, PIN numbers and a signed letter saying that they can check up on you at any time with all of the information you’ve just provided.
Yes, I thought not.
Would be easier to identify people in general
Easier for who to identify people?
Good for general security reasons
What?
Good/Helpful idea
What? What?
Already works effectively in other countries
Lie - Proof please. And I don’t mean from those that have implemented it; this needs to come from people that are required to carry ID as they go about their daily lives.
Keeping track of people
Lie - Unless the card incorporates some sort of tracking mechanism (e.g. RFID) with complete national coverage by tracking hardware, and that there’s a compulsory requirement to carry the card at all times.