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Real ID Act Poses Technical Challenges

Posted by Zonk on from the sketchy-very-sketchy dept.

segphault writes "Ars Technica has an article about some of the financial and technological challenges associated with implementing the Real ID Act." From the article: "Opposed by more than 600 independent organizations (including the National Governors Association) and hidden in the depths of a military spending bill in order to make passage easier, the Real ID Act has received heavy criticism from concerned citizens and state government agencies. Despite the fact that relatively sound and effective improvements to driver's license security had already been implemented as part of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act, the federal government felt that it was necessary to go well beyond the recommendations of the 9/11 Comission Report by passing a costly and invasive law."

1 of 296 comments (clear)

  1. Passports by Bassman59 · · Score: 0, Troll
    Seems to me we already have a "real ID" in the form of a passport. They're issued by the State Department or the equivalent from a foreign nation. It oughta be good enough for regular ID use, as one presumes that if you apply for a passport, the State Department will do some minimal checking to ensure that you are you. And the infrastructure to issue passports already exists. No other gov't agency required.

    I realize that passports cost more than a driver's license and I don't see any reason why the cost of a passport can't be reduced. The point is that if the Feds require everyone to have valid identification papers, then the passport is the answer.

    And let's not forget an important point: the 9/11 terrorists were travelling with valid visas issued by the State Department under their own real names. They were renting apartments and cars, attending school, working regular jobs (and paying taxes!), all in their own real names. I'm not exactly sure how this "Real ID" law will make any difference in the So-Called Global War On Terror. But then again, nothing the Bush Administration has done in the name of terror has been a rousing success.

    Wait a minute ... maybe ID means "Intelligent Design," not "identification." Hmmmm ....