Some in U.K. government wanted compulsory DNA cards
In 2003 and 2004, some civil servants considered — and wrote detailed reports about — including DNA or iris biometrics as well as digital photographs in the ID card scheme and the police wanted carrying the cards to be compulsory
U.K. Civil servants considered including DNA or iris biometrics as well as digital photographs in the ID card scheme and the police wanted carrying the cards to be compulsory, just released documents reveal. The Office of Government Commerce has finally bowed to legal pressure from Computer Weekly and released the two Gateway reviews of the national ID scheme. It has taken four years — from 2003 and 2004— and numerous court hearings to get the two reviews released. The review noted: “The Police felt that the absence of any obligation to carry or produce identity cards would substantially remove the administrative savings and some of the other advantages that Identity Cards would offer.”
The 2003 review said: “Biometrics. Opinion seems divided on how effective or dependable biometrics will be. There is little past experience, in the UK or elsewhere, to go on.” There is no evidence of any technical consultation or other attempt to answer these questions. The second review in 2004 also supported a second biometric on the card and was still looking for answers.
John Oates writes that the senior civil servants who contemplated the idea seem absurdly divorced from reality — they show awareness of neither the technical problems of what they are discussing nor any understanding of, or interest in, public reaction to the scheme.
Support from the rest of the civil service also appears muted. The 2003 review said: “We noted with some concern that the main potential beneficiaries of an Identity Cards scheme, such as police, DVLA, Passport Agency, IND, DWP, Inland Revenue and the financial sector, though generally supportive, were not quite as enthusiastic about the program as might have been hoped.”
Apparently major problems with the project are breezily dismissed. So the review mentions one of the program risks: “Inadequate support and commitment (we noted with some concern that the main potential beneficiaries of an Identity Cards scheme, such as police, DVLA, Passport Agency, IND, DWP, Inland Revenue and the financial sector, though generally supportive, were not quite as enthusiastic about the program as might have been hoped” [sic].
The second review again confidently claims: “The Identity Cards program’s potential for success is not in doubt. As the SRO and Program Director recognize, however, there is much work to be done before a robust business case can be established for a solution that meets the business need.”
