Friday, November 07, 2008
More on ID cards
Today's Guardian reports that the cost of introducing ID cards has crept up again, this time by another £50 million. This is no great surprise. I expect it to rise quite significantly between now and when it is finally introduced, assuming that the Government are able to get that far with it.
What is perhaps more interesting is the hidden cost to the ordinary person in the street of acquiring one of these cards. The government believe that they can sell the cards at £30 each however that does not take account of the cost to each individual of having their fingerprints and other biometric data taken which would be around £29. This charge will also apply to anyone wanting a new passport.
So this whole new regime effectively amounts to a laminated poll tax of £59 a head, payable by everybody once the inevitable decision is taken to make these cards compulsory. Even if we are not forced to have a card the cost of getting a passport will go up. And yet there is still no evidence that any of this will actually improve our security or policing one iota.
What is perhaps more interesting is the hidden cost to the ordinary person in the street of acquiring one of these cards. The government believe that they can sell the cards at £30 each however that does not take account of the cost to each individual of having their fingerprints and other biometric data taken which would be around £29. This charge will also apply to anyone wanting a new passport.
So this whole new regime effectively amounts to a laminated poll tax of £59 a head, payable by everybody once the inevitable decision is taken to make these cards compulsory. Even if we are not forced to have a card the cost of getting a passport will go up. And yet there is still no evidence that any of this will actually improve our security or policing one iota.
Labels: ID
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Has anyone address what is going to be "IN" the ID card yet, will it contain an RFID (Radio Frequency ID)? So the state can track you as you go about your lawful business?
Similarly, with the state wanting people to have Passport/Driving Licence to buy a mobile phone, so you can be tracked using the signal from your mobile phone when it is switched on.
Similarly, with the state wanting people to have Passport/Driving Licence to buy a mobile phone, so you can be tracked using the signal from your mobile phone when it is switched on.
# posted by 
: 12:00 PM
: 12:00 PM
From the Guardian article quoted:
"She [Jacqui Smith] confirmed that talks have started with high-street businesses including the Post Office to provide fingerprint and other biometric enrolment services for those registering for an ID card."
What's "other biometric enrolement services" {in the plural}
Iris Recognition?
DNA Fingerprint?
Or perhaps mapping my X & Y Chromosomes for paternity matches with the data held by the Child Support Agency?
"She [Jacqui Smith] confirmed that talks have started with high-street businesses including the Post Office to provide fingerprint and other biometric enrolment services for those registering for an ID card."
What's "other biometric enrolement services" {in the plural}
Iris Recognition?
DNA Fingerprint?
Or perhaps mapping my X & Y Chromosomes for paternity matches with the data held by the Child Support Agency?
# posted by : 12:10 PM
: 12:10 PM
It won't be long before everyone will be required to be micro-chipped. All new born babies will be chipped at birth and can then be tracked anywhere in the world - no need for passports or ID cards then, you'd just have to walk through a scanning device to enter a different country. Police Officers could scan you in the street to establish ones identity, etc.
Science fiction? I don't know. But then again, who does any more?
Science fiction? I don't know. But then again, who does any more?
# posted by : 1:02 PM
: 1:02 PM
Forget this nonsense, address this Peter - we await your response with interest.
Given you so opinionated about everything else, let's hear your lame excuses about this one:
What is the biggest mistake you have made in your political career?
Appointing Peter Black as my agent in the 1997 General Election, you never know with someone else I may have overturned that huge Labour majority in Ogmore! In general I think it is best to learn from your mistakes and not dwell on them.
Given you so opinionated about everything else, let's hear your lame excuses about this one:
What is the biggest mistake you have made in your political career?
Appointing Peter Black as my agent in the 1997 General Election, you never know with someone else I may have overturned that huge Labour majority in Ogmore! In general I think it is best to learn from your mistakes and not dwell on them.
# posted by : 1:27 PM
: 1:27 PM
Anon 1:02pm
"...chipped at birth and can then be tracked anywhere in the world..."
Do you think that all this extra security is going to promote freedom of movement? You'll be lucky if you are allowed outside your own front door without being asked your intentions, let alone being free to travel around the world.
"...chipped at birth and can then be tracked anywhere in the world..."
Do you think that all this extra security is going to promote freedom of movement? You'll be lucky if you are allowed outside your own front door without being asked your intentions, let alone being free to travel around the world.
# posted by : 4:33 PM
: 4:33 PM
Ha, Ha, Gwilym. I knew somebody would raise that. I suggested she give that answer. Didnt think she would but it is quite funny, isnt it?
I think if your going to ask people to take out ID cards then they should be free, being disabled myself I always lose my cards so my wife keeps them being in a wheelchair the dam things fall out of my pockets. But I think a better idea would be a tattoo on your wrists, with a date on it, when you reach that date you have to go to an extermination camp. Only people vital to the country miss this like MP's and PM's and of course rich people, this will save on pensions sickness
Only joking, well i think so.
Only joking, well i think so.
"Appointing Peter Black as my agent in the 1997 General Election, you never know with someone else I may have overturned that huge Labour majority in Ogmore!"
Kirsty, what a wag you are!
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Kirsty, what a wag you are!
# posted by : 9:25 PM
: 9:25 PM<< Home
