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UK Can't Read Its Own ID Cards
An anonymous reader writes "Despite the introduction of ID cards last November, it has emerged that Britain has no readers that are able to read the cards' microchips, which contain the person's fingerprints and other biometric information. With cops and border guards unable to use the cards to check a person's identity, critics are calling the £4.7bn scheme 'farcical' and a 'waste of time.'"
While I won't go as far as being paranoid about "it was always the governments plan and they just want the data on everyone", it doesn't surprise me that our government isn't even capable of introducing both halves of an ID scheme at the same time.
Until they fix it they've basically just introduced an over-expensive photo ID. Well done, Labour!
It is a security measure
Is anyone really surprised? There are people out there who still don't believe that Dad's Army was an early example of reality TV. Government competence levels have not improved in the ensuing years.
Will you PLEASE F off with the Fing beta now?
Or alternatively, we could spend the money on something useful, like giving every child a pony.
[FUCK BETA]
Britain has no readers that are able to the cards' microchip
Hey, we all know how hard it can be to a card's microchip.
What if I do the same thing, and I do get different results?
Mmmm... food steps.
*puts mayonnaise on his fries*
Joking aside, it seems like the Belgians have done this right: You need a code to access the information from the passport, similar to your bank/creditcard. Not perfect, but at least it isn't readable by everyone.
This sig is intentionally left blank
About 9 years ago.
It is offtopic. "Dad's Army" was at best tangentially related to the government.
What you want is "Yes, Minister". Down the corridor, third on the left.
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
No, you can get one if you want one, and certain classes of people have to have them - asylum seekers, airport workers, and a few other categories. Perhaps gypsies and jews should be added to the list, *sigh*.
[FUCK BETA]
It was about biometric databases, computer-recognizable photographs and humongous amounts of fingerprints.
It's easy, and quite tempting, to react to this news with patronizing contempt - and think, "Well, at least we're fairly safe - such a bunch of bunglers couldn't do any real harm".
Unfortunately, a look back at history reveals that appalling inefficiency and incompetence have usually gone hand-in-hand with authoritarian government. But whereas we can still laugh about it, the time may come when doing so is distinctly unwise. People made fun of Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini throughout their careers, and some got away with it. Others were arrested, beaten up, imprisoned, tortured, shot, or hanged with piano wire.
I am sure that there are many other solipsists out there.
They've only just started finalising and using these cards. Why is it surprising that there are no readers around?
It's akin to saying that Blu-Ray or DVDs were a waste of time because initially there were no players for them - Hello, you need to wait for people to catch up, especially if the equipment is expensive (and although they're not consumer products, the same rules apply - places need to wait for grants or work out their budgets before buying or using said machines).
Besides, practically no-one has these cards yet - and I doubt anyone will for a while, especially since they cost cash to get (It was ~£50 last I heard)
Freedom of Information Act 2000 Only exceptions to this in government is the Official secrets act. which means the information comes out in 50 years. this is better than the US where 90% of it never comes out at all. The Act
Actually, the first ID cards were issued last year (2008).
I am sure that there are many other solipsists out there.
About 9 years ago.
It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying "Beware of The Leopard.
It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his job depends on not understanding it.
and when the credit crunch really bites, pony sausages and a nice warm coat
If he's the Walrus then can I be a penguin please?
I'm sorry, this is abuse. You want "Yes, Minister". Down the corridor, third on the left.
Stupid git.
No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
Exceptions include information other that that covered by the Official Secrets Act.
There are also a whole lot of exemptions, such as data that is commercially sensitive, related to criminal investigations or where disclosure would contravene the Data Protection Act etc. When a request is refused the reason for the exemption must be given to the requester.
In practise the Act has meant a lot of information is now public where it wouldn't have been before.
Not just asylum seekers, anyone here on a settlement visa. My wife's got to have a card now, even though she's here fully legitimately and I'm a full-fledged British citizen andsubject of HRH Queen Elizabeth the Second. And students are next in line, which as a PhD researcher means yours truly. If you refuse? Well, you lose your visa or your student status as appropriate. They're targetting those that are least able to object in order to build up an "installed base".
No kidding!!! What do you say at this point?
We could call it the OPPC project
Her Royal Highness? Did Her Majesty abdicate?
Maybe, but we were talking about eating it.
Quidnam Latine loqui modo coepi?