ID Cards, the LSE Approach and Function Creep.

In the Times today, Simon Davies discusses the LSE solution to Identity Cards systems.

He starts off by touching on the trust issue that beleaguers the current bill staggering through the committee stage in parliament.

“…no ID card scheme can be made to work if the public does not trust it. Trust in this scheme is now dead, and it is doubtful that it can be resurrected. Even if the Government succeeds in ramming the legislation on to the statute book, there will be a fatally significant number of refuseniks who will not co-operate.”

There are an increasing number of us, it would seem.

The approach suggested by the LSE – assuming that a system is necessary – is one of consumer control. That is, where the individual decides what information is kept and who may have access to it. This is fine and dandy and certainly some of the scenarios he presents make sense:

“At this point the card can be used for a range of purposes. Cardholders can choose what information to put on to the system. So a person in poor health may wish to place medical data on to the card, but may then choose to limit access to this information to A&E and paramedic personnel. Someone attending an STD clinic may decide to block all identifying data other than a reference number or first name.”

What isn’t said, is what about those of us who have neither need nor desire to have any card at all?

On another point, one of the privacy issues we refusniks have been banging on about is that of function creep. It has always been difficult to make people aware of something that we know will happen when it isn’t yet clear what shape it will take. Well, thanks to the Finance and Leasing Association, we have one. These delightful people in their press release issued yesterday have called for access to the National Identity Register. All for the laudable purpose of combatting fraud.

“It has asked to be closely involved with the Home Office on the practicalities of implementation of the scheme and also wants to see:

• full data-sharing between the public and private sectors to ensure its accuracy
• finance suppliers to have access to ‘readers’ via an accredited licensing system
• implementation of an informal arrangement with the authorities to ensure financial institutions are never knowingly provided with false information”

Thanks guys – you have no idea just how helpful that press release is. Read it and weep.