WRITTEN ON November 30th, 2004 BY William Heath AND STORED IN Uncategorized
There is definitely a “touching the state” issue about the ID systems, and some myths that need to be kicked into touch. The FT today comes out against….
The consultation was a bruising experience for those who tried to comment via Stand. It’s still not accepted that the over 5000 inputs via Stand included considered, balanced and contrary views and not simply signatures to one petition. Silicon which has also come out against says the 79% majority is now 31% pro and 48% anti (which figures does Blunkett keep quoting?)
ID cards may become the defining way of “touching the state”…we’ll have to see; that’s for the future.
But some myths
“Those with nothing to hide have nothing to fear” – – Patent rubbish. It’s essential to have a domain for experimentation and mistakes. The noblest figures of history who strove in good conscience to change society for the better invariably came into conflict with the status quo. JC himself had some inner teachings for his disciples etc. A society which can brings its awkward squad into line ceases to innovate. If anyone comes up with this old chestnut tell them they ought to be ashamed of themselves.
“Er, I seem to have loads of these loyalty cards in my handbag and I’m not worried. So what on earth are you worried about?” We had this line from Home Office ID cards official Katherine Courtenay last week and I heard it yesterday from Edwina Currie on LBC, talking to me on a phone in (“William – what century are you living in?”. Edwina is not big on privacy (link//endless-dirty-linen-in-public etc) and perhaps Katherine isnt either. But some of us are – we wont have supermarket loyalty cards, Nectar cards, Oyster cards. We feel its kinda creepy having marketing trainees poring over our purchasing habits. We make the economic choice that if they want our data it’s going to cost them a lot more than what they offer now. We’re just kinda classy about that.
It’s right to have higher expctations of a compulsory scheme (and one for which we have to pay to boot). Those who don’t care about their privacy are not well placed to speak for those who do, just like junk food addicts cut no ice with people who care about their food.
More myths later.
3 Responses to “Couple of myths to kick into touch…”
Nothing to do with id cards but rather with “map or be mapped”. Found excellent link which you might want to explore if already not into it. Many hands are work, mapping too…
http://www.shef.ac.uk/greenmap/flash.html
Also think of doing brief review of e-government facilities from my home country… kind regards…
waving and floating…
In connection to loyalty cards, some time ago I saw a really interesting presentation by some people who had devised a – tough in cheek – scheme for people to be able to sell their data to people who wanted to use it. After all, it’s our data, so why shouldn’t we – as opposed to data users – be able to derive value from it? Can’t remember the name of the project, off the top of my head.
And yes, many of us avoid loyalty cards like the plague.
Thanks, many excellent points. I too found it sad that the government simply dismissed the well considered view of so many opponents to ID cards.
Silicon.com
Opinion on Silicon.com appears to have swung. Initially many people saw only advantages (normally personal convenience or safety, but perhaps sometimes commercial opportunities). Now, more people have realised the dangers of the ID card and its massive ID database as well as the many fallacies in the scheme.
Loyalty Cards
Many people have several loyalty cards so each card records only part of their life. Also, many people protect their privacy by deliberately using false information when registering for loyalty card or web sites.
Anti-Money Laundering
Have the new ID regulations actually reduced money laundering? In my view they do little to impede criminals but are a great nuisance to ordinary honest people. Because of these silly regulations, our old bank statements and letters now have a real value to criminals. Some banks have received huge penalties just for failing to follow the approved process, even when no real crime has occurred.
Presumably an ID Card scheme would have similar unwanted effects?