'UNAFFORDABLE!...' 'LACK OF CLEAR BENEFITS!...' 'IGNORING REALITY...' It's not so long ago that security expert Frank Abagnale spoke out. Frank has spent over 30 years advising institutions on identity theft and fraud, and was scathing on the UK Government's ID card plans - giving it a maximum of six months before the card was forged.. "It's more information to steal…. The details are going to be vulnerable. These sorts of cards are very easy to forge…. Everything you need to clone an identity is in one place." More embarrassment followed. Having refused to come clean on its costings, the Government has been ordered to explain some of its claims by a public watchdog, the Information Commissioner. Now the Sunday Times has published leaks from unhappy civil servants responsible for progressing the massively-expensive ID card scheme. Apparently the documents will infuriate ministers because they contradict the government's public statements on the ID card scheme. The Government is reported to be considering a 'Plan B' that still involves setting up a stop-gap national ID register (NIR, TNIR) even if the cards are on hold for now. This would still be a big step towards a 'Big Brother' society based on population tracking. However, with concerns on both practicality and credibility, UKPA's Peter Smith is planning for the possibility that the entire project will fail. Common sense dictates that the Government repeals its Identity Cards Act, 2006, with potentially draconian powers. However will a Government that has so far refused to listen really start now? Any 'reassuring' announcements must be very carefully examined. |