ID cards for all?

[Workingman]

Yes, no problem.

The subject is apparently back on the agenda following Brexit

So long as they are used purely as an official form of photo identity, with possibly your NI number included, and not biometric nor linked to all kinds of databases I see no problem.

[Rodo]

No, like you I can see only good in having them.

[Workingman]

So long as they are a first line of security and not electronically linked all over the place, similar to today's driving licence many of us hold, I cannot see why not.

[Suff]

Living in a country which has ID cards, my answer is NO, first, NO in the middle and NO always.

Once it is there it will never _ever_ go away. Some people may think that we had one in war time so what does this matter. But, in fact, the ID card will become the Only way of interacting with the government, will get a chip, be biometric eventually and intrude into our lives more and more over time.

The only possible way to avoid this is not to go there in the first place.

There is absolutely _no_ reason, whatsoever, for the UK to need it's citizens to have an id card. Foreigners ID, yes. UK citizens. No.

ID cards are actually the easiest way for criminals and terrorists to bypass the system.

[Workingman]

There is absolutely no good reason, none whatsoever, for an ID card to have a chip or biometric detail on it. That is partly why Blair's plans came to nought, that and linking them to the EU travel document. There are too many civil liberties people knocking about to allow them. However, as a fist port of call they are fine, and for many people, just what is needed.

Recently a parcel was delivered when I was out. The Post Office required me to provide photo proof when going to collect, along with my address details. In my case my drivng licence had all the necessary details, but had I not had one, or a passport, (I now do not have one) it would have taken two formal letters of communication such as utility bills, bank statements, council tax statements and so on. Believe it or not there are some people on the margins who do not even have those, and ironically these are the ones most often needing of proof.

A very simple hologram protected Name; DOB; Address, NI number and Photo ID card issued at age 16 and regularly updated would do a fine job without the bogeymen spying on us... and it could double as a driving licence once the test was passed. And let us be really, really honest, they are not the easiest way for criminals to get round the system.

[TheOstrich]

I've always opposed the idea of identity cards in the past, but I am thinking that post Brexit, it might not be a bad idea, not least to establish basic benefit rights.

But the devil, as always, will be in the detail, and how all-pervasive the resulting Government database will be .....

[Workingman]

I've always opposed the idea of identity cards in the past, but I am thinking that post Brexit, it might not be a bad idea, not least to establish basic benefit rights.

But the devil, as always, will be in the detail, and how all-pervasive the resulting Government database will be .....

On the rare occasions there has to be a database check all it needs to do is match a name to a NI number to a photo.

There needs to be no chip, all the person checking has to do is type in the name and NI, the system returns the registered photo to the person checking. If the card photo is wrong and the person presenting it looks like the photo on the fake card, or it is a legit card and the presenter is nothing like the photo - Voila!

There was a report today saying that most identity theft/fraud is due individuals being stupid by giving away passwords/PINs, chucking utility bills etc. and bank statements in the bin and failing to have or update computer security software (firewalls and AV).

Stealing, cloning and faking ID cards is way down the list of criminals and terrorists when there are so many other doors left open.... by us.

[miasmum]

Yes please as I have no photo ID so I would be very happy to have an ID card

[Suff]

ID cards are a control mechanism for the population in general. Once a government gets control it does not easily cede control. Once it has that level of control it tends to demand more and more control as the years go on. This is then picked up by companies and also used as a trusted source.

For instance the chip ID with biometrics on it, for many EU country ID cards, is used as an authentication source for banking and other business activities. It is also mandatory to carry it/use it, when dealing with the government.

Most EU countries mandate that you carry your ID card. Which is why most European men have man bags of one sort or another, to carry their paraphernalia.

All the other mainland EU countries have had ID cards for decades and it is always a good idea to look at someone who does use them to see how ours will, inevitably, go. One small _good_ reason at a time.

As I said before, there is no good reason to have a government issued ID card. Except for government control.

There are other options such as having your own photo put on your credit card and also ValIDate UK which allows you to buy a validated and broadly accepted ID card which has nothing to do with the government.

You can also get copies of your birth certificate.

Whenever the government starts demanding that you have a token which identifies you, I start wondering how they ever managed before and why they are so adamant they need one now.

I also stand by my statement. The simply fact that someone has an ID card immediately puts them into a "normal" category and the authorities will chase up others. Should the authorities actually run down the card and find it is fake, it is far, far, too late. Fake ID is the blessing for Criminals and terrorists.

[cromwell]

I would be happy to have one if I had confidence in our politicians. However I don't, because they always want more and can never leave well alone.