By Steve Ranger, 7 December 2007 16:39
NEWS
There needs to be serious debate about the government's controversial identity card scheme - or it should be scrapped, according to an influential think tank.
A report from Demos said meaningful engagement with the public about how the technology should work must be foremost in shaping what the cards do, if ID card scheme is to go ahead.
"There needs to be a serious, renewed debate about the identity card scheme, with the kind of engagement that should have happened at the start of the process. Otherwise, the scheme should be dropped," the Demos report FYI: The new politics of personal information said.
It said there needs to be more open consideration of what kind of information the cards would hold, why, and in what circumstances they will be used.
The report from Demos said personal information has become central to how we live - from online banking to social networking - and this is creating a trend towards personal, tailored services - and a society "dominated by different forms of information gathering".
Demos argues there is a need for better debate about the boundaries, rights and responsibilities that regulate the use of this personal information
It said the government should develop a more coherent strategy around personal information use, which clarifies the links between how government will use personal information and the potential benefits or costs to individuals.
Each government department using personal information should say how they are accessing personal information, while the powers of the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) should be strengthened, for example to include the ability to audit organisations' use of personal information without needing their consent, the report said.
Comments
There are 8 comments. Join the discussion
1. Karen Challinor
scrap the legislation before any more money is wasted and spend it on putting the internal IT infrastructure in order, you'll probably find it isn't needed then
but since when has HMG payed any attention to the will of the people when it contradicts a measure that will increase their power without increasing their accountability or makes everyone else do something their way and neatly avoids affecting anyone on government
if you are going to manage others then prove you can manage yourself first
2. Phil Thane
No-one trusts the government to manage a huge database. there will be leaks and errors and it's a huge target for identity thieves. We could however have ID cards without a central database, giving each citizen custody of their own data.
I propose that a DNA sample be taken from all newborns and that encoded onto a chipped ID card, together with basic birth certificate data. The day should be easily readable, and standard card readers should be able to see the data. Anyone wishing to change, or add to the data should be a able to do so at govt offices, town halls etc, on production of a matching DNA sample.
3. Andrew Meredith
While I agree whole heartedly with the sentiment expressed, I'm sure the author, much like the rest of us, doesn't for one second believe that they will actually do this.
They officially believe this card and the database underneath it, are the magic bullet for no end of social ills and when politicians have nailed their colours to the mast, they simply will not think again. It's a sign of weakness apparently.
4. Graham Coles
Don't debate, scrap them!
The government has had years to provide a convincing argument for these, and their ability to properly handle the data.
They have lied blatently about what will be achieved with them.
The LSE priced them at a cost of close to 30 billion pounds.
The govenment won't release their own figures despite being told to do so by the courts.
The project has given us less secure Passports that can be copied in the post.
The govenment clearly can't be trusted with the information after the HMRC fiasco. They may say they will take protecting the information seriously, but isn't this what HMRC say every time they have a serious breach of confidential information?
The time for debate is over. Stop wasting money pounding this deceased equine and just scrap them.
5. Martin Anderson
The most sensible article on this subject so far. Now let's get into the detail of what we should do.
6. Andrew Robb
I can see utility in a central store for biometric data. We do not need a separate card to hold the biometrics - they can be duplicated onto cards issued by banks etc to support biometric authentication.
The central biometric database should only hold records of which organizations are using the biometric information with a separate and unique personal id number against each organization to protect privacy.
This would stop 'the government' keeping a personal database on its masters (the electorate) yet facilitate id protection through biometrics and still allow courts to authorize searches through the id numbers with each organization.
7. Haydn Rees
Where do I start?
1) Without a Business Case, the only things you can do in an IT project are waste money, and waste time. Until politicians sign off on a finite deterministic and unambiguous Business Case, detailing everything they want to achieve up front, it's all academic; it will end up in the toilet.
They have all sorts of additional "functionality" they want to retrofit. If it isn't in the original Business Case, which will get published and raked over, they can whistle.
2) Politicians are obsessing about a technology. Don't. Do not specific a technology into the Business Case.
An out of the box example; Do I really need a card with fingerprints, facial topography, retinal patterns, and a voice print on? I have fingerprints, a face, blood, retinas, and a voice. Put the details on the central database; give the people who need to check who you are a biometric reader.
8. anonymous
Debate? In a democracy? Surely not.
The last thing this government wants is to widen the discussion on ID cards. They are well aware that as more people understand what the ID Card project is about, the more people are against it. Already, according to a recent survey, 48% are now against and only 43% for. This trend will only continue as the debate widens thanks in part to blunders like that at HMRC.
Additionally the government is under pressure from Europe to succeed and consequently are keener than ever to avoid any public discussion.
The government would rather implement ID Cards by stealth.