Re: "The ID Divide"

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

________________________________________
From: Stewart Baker [stewart.baker () gmail com]
Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2008 12:22 PM
To: David Farber
Subject: Re: [IP] "The ID Divide"

This report is premised on the notion that there's an ID divide
comparable to the digital divide.  So, it's pretty ironic that, when
it gets around to proposing solutions (as opposed to criticizing
existing programs), it says this:

"[T]here is a promising approach that is rapidly becoming far more
workable. For people with ready access to a computerized device, the
device can use strong, unique passwords for each person for each
organization. Fortunately, that kind of device is well on its way to
being adopted. It is called the cell phone. Cell phones, laptop
computers, smart cards, and other devices increasingly will be usable
by ordinary people to provide strong passwords
for each organization. There will be a social learning curve about how
to do this sort of authentication. Device-based authentication,
however, provides a way for individuals to be more secure and to
manage what to reveal to organizations asking for proof of identity."

Well, that should take care of the ID divide, all right.  As soon all
the people who are too poor to get drivers' licenses get cell phones.

Stewart Baker

On Sun, Jun 8, 2008 at 11:45 AM, David Farber <dave () farber net> wrote:
> ________________________________________
> From: Peter Swire [peter () peterswire net]
> Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2008 11:28 AM
> To: David Farber
> Subject: "The ID Divide"
>
> Hi Dave:
>
> Perhaps of interest to your list, this week we released a report on "The ID Divide: Addressing the Challenges of 
> Identification and Authentication in American Society."
>
> The report is at http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2008/06/id_divide.html.
>
> A resource page on identification/authentication is at 
> http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2008/06/id_resources.html.
>
> Your readers are familiar with the "digital divide," where life is quite different for those with great broadband vs. 
> those with limited or no access to computing.  The idea of the "ID Divide" is that there are growing problems for 
> those who face problems proving their identity -- over 20 million American adults lack government-issued photo ID; 
> identity theft hits over 8 million people/year; and the no-fly list will go over 1 million names this year.
>
> The report grows out of a project at the Center for American Progress where we included experts from a wide range of 
> areas affected by identification: national/homeland security; immigration; voting; online authentication; e-health 
> records; computer security; privacy; and civil liberties.  The goal was to help create a unified approach for 
> addressing these issues.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Peter
>
>
> Prof. Peter P. Swire
> C. William O'Neil Professor of Law
>   Moritz College of Law
>   The Ohio State University
> Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
> (240) 994-4142, www.peterswire.net
>
>
>
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