IP: National ID Card Web Pages

[Dave Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>]

         EXTENSIVE NATIONAL ID CARD WEB SITE IS NOW ON LINE






The London-based human rights watchdog Privacy International (PI)


has just opened an extensive web page on National ID cards. The


initiative comes in the wake of pending efforts in the United


States, Canada and United Kingdom to implement national ID card


systems.




The page contains a 7,000 word FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on


all aspects of ID cards and their implications. Also included in the


PI documents is a paper describing successful campaigns opposing to


ID cards in Australia and other countries.  The page also has links


to numerous other sites and documents.




PI Director Simon Davies said he hoped the page would help promote


debate about the cards, "ID cards are often introduced without


serious discussion or consultation. The implications are profound,


and countries planning to introduce them should proceed with


caution."




"The existence of a card challenges important precepts of individual


rights and privacy. At a symbolic and a functional level, ID cards


are often an unnecessary and potentially dangerous white elephant.


They are promoted by way of fear-mongering and false patriotism, and


are implemented with scant regard for serious investigation of the


consequences." he said.




The URL is :




   http://www.privacy.org/pi/activities/idcard/




PI has also set up an auto response function for the FAQ document.


Its address is: idcardfaq () mail privacy org




Privacy International is an international human rights group


concerned with privacy and surveillance issues. It is based in


London, UK. For further information contact the Privacy


International Washington Office at +1.202.544.9240 or email


pi () privacy org. PI's web page is available at:


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