I write concerning your recent article regarding the national ID card bill to be considered by Parliament in December.
Has there been a public consultation regarding the remit/possibilities of these ID cards? Specifically regarding their ability and/or intention to also provide/track (along with basic ID) the health information of the holder, and/or the financial information of the holder? In particular to the second concern, is there an effort to backdoor a centrally controlled digital currency by way of these ID cards?
At the very least, the public should know the true limits of these cards and perhaps preferably be enabled to vote by way of referendum as to what we are comfortable with as regards these cards’ capabilities.
A national ID card is, at its core, a very good idea. Oftentimes, the most sincere and small effort to do good can unravel and grow into a terrible error. It would behoove those involved to consider exactly the scope and capabilities of these cards should they come into general circulation.
While most of the general public may not consider the possibility of their health or financial information being [included] on these cards as a negative, there is a concern that this is simply due to lack of knowledge. And very little good comes from a lack of knowledge.
As an example, it is easy to restrict your purchases of gas if you’ve bought too much gas this month – all the government would have to do is look at your digital currency ID card purchases and see if you’ve bought as little as they’d like. Same goes for health.
Your government may not like your purchases of beer this week, so they can prevent you purchasing fries. Further, a government can easily tell you to spend a certain amount this week or your money will be deleted from your card.
This is all very, very possible with centralised digital monitoring. The first step is a centralised digital ID card with, per the article, “additional data” also stored on the card’s chip. The public need to know what these cards can possibly do. If the public determine that it’s fine, so be it. But they should know.
Keith Doyle
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