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U-Turn On UK ID Cards

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the from-bad-to-worse dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The UK appears to be watering down its national ID card system, with the revelation by the government that it will now only check the cards against a central biometric database in a minority of cases. Critics are saying it not only renders the whole scheme pointless, but will pose a security risk by making it far easier to use copied or cloned cards. 'But an Identity and Passport Service spokesman denied the system would be vulnerable to fraud: 'The majority of instances where people use their identity cards will be day-to-day situations where the cards offer a convenient method of proving identity such as a young person proving their age to buy alcohol,' he said.'"

5 of 143 comments (clear)

  1. It's not Stupid, it's Advanced! by snspdaarf · · Score: 4, Funny

    So, this system will not be susceptible to fraud because young people will use it to buy alcohol, an activity known to create a black market in fraudulent identification. Brilliant!

    --
    Why, without your clothes, you're naked, Miss Dudley!
  2. Re:What a waste by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Gordo could fund his proposed tax cuts if he scrapped some of the his horrendous police-statist measures. But no, he'll get us ever more into debt whilst scrambling for some way to boost his political reputation.

    The UK Government is sick of being called the USA's bitch. They're trying to prove that they can beat them. Gordon Brown & Jacqui Smith have made it their mission to prove the UK government can screw up worse than the US government. We can beat the states in Nation Debt per citizen if we try harder.

  3. Re:Don't worry guys! by iminplaya · · Score: 3, Funny

    Is there some aspect of this that isn't completely insane that I've missed out on?

    3) Profit!

    --
    What?
  4. Re:But, I thought "People 'can't wait for ID cards by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    I bet she weighs the same as a duck.

  5. Re:What a waste by mpe · · Score: 2, Funny

    I applied for one of them when I was about 18. The ONE time I needed to actually prove my age (I very rarely get asked for ID, I have some stubble now), the bouncer's answer: sorry, we don't accept them as proof of age. Driving licence or passport.

    In other words in order to prove your age a document specifically intended to prove your age isn't acceptable. However one granting you permission to drive on public roads or one to allow you to travel to foreign lands is...