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Re: [LUG] E-gov projects, OpenID and ID Cards

 

Tom Potts wrote:
> The problem is that the data is worth a lot more to thieves than it is to the 
> 'holder' so its always going to 'leak'. People are quite happy to spend a few 
> years in prison for crime, they're going to be more than happy to work in a 
> company for a few years until they can nick a few identities and collect 
> millions in a few clicks.
> Be afraid of ID, very afraid.
> Tom te tom te tom
>   
Given the demonstrable repeated incompetence of the government to hold 
onto *any* confidential information about the public I am firmly in the 
'over my dead body' camp with regard to ID cards of any description.  At 
least while the databases are separate somebody hacking into one can 
only get the information on me that particular database has.[1]  The ID 
card scheme has a very 'eggs in one basket' feel to it, and I have no 
trust in those holding the basket not to leave in on a train/park 
bench/unencrypted laptop/internal mail etc.

Yes one card to do everything would be convenient, but convenience has a 
heavy price.  Never let it be forgotten that Windows is so bloated 
because it's stacked with features to make using it 'convenient and 
easy' for the user.  Yes I am equating the ID card scheme with Windows - 
oddly enough both have terrible reputations for security.

Kind regards,

Julian

[1] BTW anyone who has benefits paid into a bank account, look very 
carefully.  The DWP use my NI number as a reference.  Cheers guys, now 
any muppet at the bank knows all my details *and* my NI number!

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