Editorial Proof of ID to buy a UK Mobile Phone

[waveydavey]

Originally Posted by cyclist

About 80% of UK citizens residing in UK hold passports, but mobile phone ownership is higher at around 95%.

Really? That's pretty interesting in itself.

Originally Posted by Wirral Bagpuss

I hope we never see another attack, but terrorists will always find a loophole or a way round things like it has already been mentioned.

I think that's the key really. There will always be loopholes because there are so many of us to hide amongst. I'm kind of for and against the whole ID thing. On the one hand, if it fights crime and terrorism, and lets people sleep easier at night then I think it's a good thing. I do agree to a certain extent about civil liberties with some things but I really don't see an ID card as any different to a drivers licence, but then I have a drivers licence and I pretty much always carry it. If you're a clean living sort, do you have anything to fear? The issue as always is the possibility for abuse of the system from within. Having said all that, look at sites like Facebook etc. There would be less info on an ID card than most people put on the web without thinking everyday. That's what makes me laugh. You don't trust a government agency with your personal details but you're willing to splash them all over the internet, which has become the media of choice for organised crime.

[windows]

Yep I'm not against an ID card as such but how would it be used, to track activities, but what sort, travelling dynamics, shopping? I can see it being used for all sorts of things I'd not approve of.

[waveydavey]

You got some examples D?

[windows]

Erm no, I just don't trust governments with that sort of data, open to all sorts of abuse.

[waveydavey]

That's what I'm saying, what sort of data? Likelihood is you give it away in another form anyway.

[alpha]

Quite possibly, maybe I'm just too paranoid about what data the government should hold.

[firstbuddha]

A good point was made on the driving license (although I don't have one!).

I would be happy to carry an ID card, if it meant I would not need to have a passport, a credit card, a driving license, a tv license... etc etc

I just want it all in one (like my phones really).

But then I'm happy for certain things to be accesible to certain individuals (police able to see my driving license and passport, but not my tv license, for example) - but I wouldn't be happy with Tesco being able to see that I purchased a pack of sandwhiches and then they notice that i'm due to go on holiday as the visa has been updated on my passport so they now want to sell me travel insurance.

No thanks!

I don't have too much to hide, but I just don't want everyone knowing everything - let them have access to what they need, then if I disclose anymore then that is my fault.

It really is only the marketing companies that will gain from these cards - oh and Whitehall will of course need additional administration departments to run the number crunching and data processing of what John Smith is up to.

[waveydavey]

From memory I think the agreement on things like Tesco's club card and Nectar cards specifically say you give permission for them to sell on your shopping information.

I see what your saying about not everyone seeing everything. From my own perspective, I don't really care much about my shopping habits etc, but the passport, maybe if I had points on my licence etc, I wouldn't want people to know.

We had a security presentation on our MVP open day about personal security and to it is amazing what you can do. One thing is for sure, I'll never use my place of birth or mothers maiden name as a security question for anything again!

[Griph]

Originally Posted by alpha

Quite possibly, maybe I'm just too paranoid about what data the government should hold.

Everyone seems to get really paranoid about what information is held by the government, but I dont hear the same respone about the information that Credit Companies hold on each of us - and frankly I trust them a whole let less - and they have the power to seriously $%^& about with our lives - more so that the (mostly) benign UK government - I just wish they were a bit more careful in keeping itv secure!

[bydandie]

Originally Posted by waveydavey

From memory I think the agreement on things like Tesco's club card and Nectar cards specifically say you give permission for them to sell on your shopping information.

I see what your saying about not everyone seeing everything. From my own perspective, I don't really care much about my shopping habits etc, but the passport, maybe if I had points on my licence etc, I wouldn't want people to know.

We had a security presentation on our MVP open day about personal security and to it is amazing what you can do. One thing is for sure, I'll never use my place of birth or mothers maiden name as a security question for anything again!

Don't need you to give it to me, I can find it within an hour. The clubcard example is a really good example of the trade-offs people are willing to make between security and a perceived benefit. Also, Tesco can be made to provide your shopping habits to the government to see if you're spending lots and claiming benefit. If you don't pay and get paid by cash and walk everywhere and have no loyalty card, you have a chance at privacy, but the fact is that your every move is watched! I've just thought of an editorial of my own on the trade-off between security and benefit, but that'll have to wait until later on in the week as I get my tax returns done!