ID cards ‘technically unsafe’ say academics
The Government’s plans to introduce ID cards have been criticised as “technically unsafe” by a new report from leading academics.
The study from the London School of Economics (LSE) described the proposals as “too complex, technically unsafe” and “overly prescriptive”.
It was also noted that ministers had failed to win public support for their plans.
The report will come as a blow to the Government as legislation paving the way for ID cards gets its second reading in the House of Lords.
Professor Ian Angell, head of LSE’s Department of Information Systems, said the report highlighted “substantial flaws” in the Government’s plans.
The report calls on ministers to have a rethink and do more to convince people of the need for a national ID card.
“The report very clearly shows that an identity card must be a real benefit to the citizen rather than being a costly imposition,” said Professor Patrick Dunleavy of LSE’s government department.
“We have an opportunity right now to develop an identity system that people genuinely want to use in their day-to day-lives.”
Ministers are keen to introduce a national ID card as a means of combating terrorism and reducing benefit fraud.
But critics claim the scheme will be too expensive to roll out and have questioned whether it will achieve any of the Government’s objectives.
The Liberal Democrats have said they would scrap the scheme and spend the money on police recruitment.
