ID cards won't comply with data protection laws

The UK's data protection watchdog has again hit out at the government's ID card scheme, claiming it is not compliant with data protection laws.

Information Commissioner Richard Thomas was speaking at an Institute of Public Policy Research conference in London today.

He expressed concern over the "vast database" of personal information that will be created and what that will be used for by different government departments and agencies.

"I have not seen enough yet to be comfortable it will operate in compliance with the data protection act," he said.

Thomas cited the example of the UK's previous paper-based ID card scheme during World War II, which was initiated to enforce three checks – draft dodgers, food rationing, and to identify non-British people.

By 1950 this had been widened in scope to 39 different checks, including one for bigamous marriage, according to Thomas.

Thomas also hit out at Home Secretary David Blunkett's claim that store loyalty cards present a bigger privacy threat to individuals than ID cards.

"The crucial point there is the individual has a choice. If the [stores] do not do with the data what they say they do they will be in trouble with my office," he said.

In the case of ID cards, however, Thomas said the Information Commission has to seek approval from the government and operators of the ID card scheme to run any audit or scrutiny of it.

Further opposition came from Vicki Chapman, head of law reform at the Law Society, who questioned the speed at which the government is pushing ID cards through, and whether it is a proportionate response to the problems it aims to tackle.

"Employers who are prepared to employ people illegally will continue to do so," she said. "What we don't need is a bill rushed through Parliament in a Queen's Speech before a general election."