Re: [Sheflug] ID Cards

[Bob Mottram <fuzzgun@xxxxxxxxx>]

2009/8/6 Richard Ibbotson <richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:
> This isn't strictly Linux or BSD based but it is IT technology based
> and so from that point of view I might be allowed to get away with
> posting it here.  Report in the Daily Mail today....

Well most Linux fans are also fans of freedom, and the ID card scheme
is about exactly the opposite of freedom.  For example, if it goes
ahead as planned it will become a crime not to inform authorities if
you change address.

> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1204641/New-ID-cards-supposed-
> unforgeable--took-expert-12-minutes-clone-programme-false-data.html

It's good to point out the flaws in these systems, and I think there
are going to be many technical and security related issues.  But as
noted in this talk

http://media.ccc.de/browse/congress/2005/22C3-920-en-we_lost_the_war.html

even if the technology isn't secure now, probably given another five
or ten years it will be sufficiently good, and the database systems
will be in place with sufficient bandwidth and storage to make
universal state surveillance and "automatic policing" a practical
proposition.

- Bob

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