UK ID card unveiling sees protests
28 September, 2008
category: Biometrics, Government
The first phase of the United Kingdom biometric ID card system was unveiled to some citizens and politicians upset over the program, according to a ZDNet article. This first phase requires foreign nationals to get new ID cards with fingerprint data on them. The data will be stored indefinitely on a UK Identity and Passport Service database.
Among the concerns of the protesters is a lack of responsibility in storage and security of the biometric data. Other concerns are that the program is an invasion of privacy and that it will be a waste of money that will neither secure borders nor solve any immigration problems.
The system sees foreign nationals enrolling twice for the cards, once in their home country and again in the UK. In 2009 airport employees are joining the program followed by students in 2010 and the rest of the population in 2011.
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