Britain's Home Secretary is preparing legislation to introduce the use of a National ID card in the UK. The ID card is one component of a massive data centralization project.
The ID cards will be compulsory. Non compliance is punishable by a 2,500 pound fine. At first.
Responding to MPs' concerns about the government's track record on large IT projects, the Home Office said the ID card scheme will be introduced in an incremental manner both in enrolment of the population and roll-out of the technology. But it hit back at MPs concerns over the security of data held in the NIR, which will underpin the ID card scheme, and which organisations will have access to it.
"The Government would not agree with the use of the word 'sensitive' to describe most of the data to be collected and stored," the Home Office response said. "Most of the data which will be held by the scheme is already public and is used routinely in everyday transactions, like opening a bank account or joining a library."
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"Incremental" being the key word in that above statement. The Brit Population isn't exactly excited about the idea.
Initial government research into the public's views on ID cards found 79 per cent in favour or very much in favour of them, with only 13 per cent against and eight per cent unsure. More recent research, however, included in the consultation summary shows support has dropped significantly with only 31 per cent now in favour, 48 per cent opposed and only eight per cent supportive in principle even with reservations about the Bill.
From 79% support to 31% support in a very short period of time.
Home Secretary Blunkett is attempting to dispel fears of privacy violations that may be associated with the card:
Home Secretary David Blunkett claimed store loyalty cards present a bigger threat to privacy than the government's ID card scheme and told opponents of the controversial project to "get real" about 'Big Brother' surveillance accusations.
So Blunkett is saying that its more dangerous for the grocery store chain to know that you buy 4 jars of pasta sauce each month than it is for the homeland security ministry to know about that potentially suspect book you checked out from the library.
The cynicism flows unchecked in Blunkett's projected method of paying for the National ID card system:
And despite concerns from opponents about the cost of the scheme, Blunkett said it will pay for itself in many ways.
"Hundreds of millions of pounds a year are drawn down [on the NHS] by people who don't have the right to. Anyone who is accessing care should be able to prove their identity," he said.
So depriving folks of medical care is going to pay for this thing. And that pesky pandemic sweeping the undocumented citizens of the UK? No cost associated with that at all, eh?
Here's hoping Tony's buddy George doesn't start liking this idea too much.