ID cards

On Radio 2 this morning was a debate about ID cards, an issue about which I feel quite strongly. Listening to the proponents, it occurred to me that anyone in favour of a national identity database doesn't understand the issues involved.

Technologically it's infeasible; practically it's of no use; and in terms of civil liberties it's reprehensible. £93 each, 20 man-years to register the whole country*, and for what?

Sometimes I wonder how some people tie their own shoes.

* One man took 45 minutes. 60 million people at 40 hours per week — 21 years. Even the optimistic database setup figure of 9 minutes per person is 4 man-years.

Posted at 2005-05-26 04:39:08 by Richard • Link to ID cards
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