To print: Click here or Select File and then Print from your browser's menu

This story was printed from silicon.com, located at http://www.silicon.com/

Story URL: http://management.silicon.com/government/0,39024677,39119836,00.htm

Leader: Will we really benefit from having ID cards?
Government says 'yes', public says...

By silicon.com

Published: Tuesday 06 April 2004

'No!' tends to be the resounding response whenever the question of whether we'll benefit from having compulsory ID cards in the UK is asked.

But is this because the people who feel strongly enough about this issue to comment all tend to be from the anti-ID card lobby, while the apathetic and the pro-lobby tend to sit by in expectant silence of a decision being taken one way or another?

But the effect of the bombast opposition - albeit potentially from outspoken sources - is one of suggesting widespread dislike for the scheme.

The phrase 'Big Brother' is used with reckless abandon and many voice slightly self-important fears about round-the-clock monitoring, often without explaining why they think the government cares about where they are 24 hours per day.

However, others raise far more sensible concerns about the 'all your eggs in one basket' approach of an all-important ID card. If it's stolen, forged or copied what could happen to you? If the roll out is glitch-ridden will people find themselves unjustly locked out of the benefits system?

Others ask whether ID cards will become the next lucrative target for organised crime - creating a new market for forged cards to replace the old one for forged passports, visas and documentation.

There are obviously a great deal of questions surrounding this controversial issue, which is why we want to hear what you think. Please take two minutes to answer our quick survey on compulsory ID cards.