Who picks up the ID trail?
The biggest privacy problem I have with ID cards – and I have seen precious little debate on this detail – is who has access to the audit trail and under what circumstances? (Roll up, roll up, get your voluntary ID cards here, editor.computing.co.uk).
There is massive scope for the ID card to turn into a people-tracker device by the government increasingly mandating circumstances for which ID card use is mandatory.
Perhaps in the future people will be forced to use their cards when spending more than £50, or buying petrol or visiting their local gym, to the point where it is impossible to live day-by-day without leaving a trail.
What is needed is a serious debate on who will have access to the audit trail and under what circumstances, and whether or not the government will ever mandate the use of a person’s ID card.
Mike Byrne
Mike Byrne raises some interesting questions. If this governments track record so far on protecting our personal data files is an example of the future, then he will be in for a shock.
His scenario of being tracked when buying petrol and using cash machines is already a reality!
Starting 2009 anyone leaving the UK will need to supply 53 pieces of personal information (see http://beasleysplace.blogspot.com/2007/11/counted-them-all-out-and-this-is-what.html ), this could (and probably will) be linked to the National Identity Register database.
The government already lets commercial companies access the DVLR database!
Bringing all of these together worries me a great deal.
Mike is right that no real debate has taken place as to who controls all this data and who allows who to access it.
For me, the scenario portrayed in the BBC's recent 'Last Enemy' series is nearly upon us!
Posted by: Mike McNamara | Friday, 21 March 2008 at 04:03 PM
Mike Byrne is concerned that he might one day have to present his ID card when buying petrol. He need not worry - this is not necessary. At Birchhanger Green services on the M11 I recently observed a notice that all registration numbers are checked against the Police National Computer before the pump is enabled - and that this information will be retained.
I suspect the "Time to next junction" signs on the M25 and others are also recording your number plate as you pass - it's the easiest way to produce the estimate.
Posted by: Andy Champ | Friday, 11 April 2008 at 01:07 PM