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ID cards: "This is not a Big Brother database"
Government launches defence of controversial biometric ID cards…

By Andy McCue

Published: Wednesday 01 December 2004

The government has again hit out at critics of its controversial compulsory ID card Bill, claiming it is not an infringement on civil liberties and that it will improve security in the UK.

Speaking at a press briefing today, Home Office minister Des Browne MP attempted to dismiss the "myths" created by opponents of the ID card scheme and said "this is not a Big Brother database".

Browne said those who cite the terrorist bombings in Madrid last year as evidence that ID cards have not worked in Spain are missing the point. "It does not stop it but it helps you police it and interdict it," he said.

He also ruled out any plans to include DNA samples on the ID cards and the national identity database but said future governments may change that policy.

"We are not planning the possibility of putting DNA on to the cards," he said. "We live in a parliamentary democracy. It's not possible for any Parliament to bind any other Parliament."

The running costs of the ID card scheme have been estimated at £550m a year by the government but this does not include the cost of setting up the infrastructure, the database or the biometric readers needed to check the cards.

Current Home Office estimates put that cost in the region of £186m plus £250 to £750 per biometric reader. For the lowdown on ID cards check out this silicon.com Cheat Sheet.

The UK's data protection watchdog, the Information Commissioner, last month said he did not believe the ID card Bill would be compliant with the UK's Data Protection Act (DPA).

Browne said revisions to the Bill mean that the bar on an individual's right to access the information held on them in the National Identity Register has now been removed and that the government will continue to hold discussions with the Information Commission.

"We will change it if necessary but I believe it will be compliant with the Data Protection Act," said Browne.

Browne defended the robustness of biometric technology, claiming it would have to be introduced anyway to conform with international travel and passport regulations anyway.

But while calling ID cards the "gold standard" of verification he was unable to say how the scheme would prevent criminals using false identity documentation at the point of registration to obtain an even more legitimate ID card with that false identity.