By Andy McCue, 21 May 2004 16:05
NEWS The UK government's biometric ID card trial is gathering momentum with Glasgow the latest city to go live with iris, fingerprint and facial recognition testing.
The nationwide trial aims to enrol 10,000 volunteers around the UK who will have their biometric details recorded and put on a chip in a mock smart card. Testing started in April in London and will run through until August.
Glasgow now joins London, Leicester and Newcastle in the project and a mobile unit will travel around other parts of the country including Wales and the Home Counties.
The Scottish trial is taking place at the Glasgow Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) office and was launched by Home Office minister Des Browne.
The project has been hit by some teething problems in pre-trial tests, which highlighted defects in collecting and reading some of the biometric data.
Civil liberties and privacy groups this week also formed an alliance in opposition to the introduction of ID cards to the UK.
But the government claims the cards will help fight crime, illegal immigration, fraud and terrorism. Browne said in a statement: "This is an ambitious, long-term project, and it is essential that we get the technology right. The trial site being launched in Glasgow today is a vital part of this, laying the foundations for a robust and effective national identity card scheme."
The recruitment of volunteers is being managed by Mori and the technical delivery is being done by Atos Origin.
Comments
There are 4 comments. Join the discussion
1. Trevor Mendham
"Scots jump on board"? When Des Browne visited the Glasgow site last week he was met by a protest demonstration. This included Patrick Harvie MSP who is quoted by the BBC as saying:
"I've already committed myself to boycotting the scheme and I call on other Glaswegians to do the same."
Hardly an overwhelming Scottish vote of support.
2. anonymous
The government claims the cards will help fight crime, illegal immigration, fraud and terrorism. What they have yet to successfully explain is How!
The cards will be lost, stolen and forged.
3. alexander lobban
i am in favour of i.d.cards.
i will be willing to go through any
formalities that is required.
where do i volenter for this. i think
that it is a must.
alexander lobban.
4. Tony Groves
Alexander Lobban, you must be mad! Take a look at speed cameras for God's sake. Look at how the authorities have abused their use. They will have an absolute field day with ID cards. They don't own us- unless we let them! Don't be fooled mate.