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national id cards
by i.d. (id@disinfo.com) - September 28, 2001

Show us your papers. This simple demand brings to mind many events in recent human history that most of us would rather soon forget. But don't part with that memory just yet.

National identity card systems are already in place in numerous countries, and many others are considering jumping the ID bandwagon. Whether it's the curtailing of illegal immigration, the streamlining of government benefits, enforcing curfews and checkpoints, or generally increasing the power of police, it seems that some politicians can't come up with enough excuses to push this issue until things turn out their way.

In the U.S., there are numerous possible starting points for a national identification system, with the Social Security Administration, the 'National Highway Traffic Safety Administration' and the 'Department of Health and Human Services' being the top candidates. Since most Americans have a Social Security or a driver's license number, it has become increasingly common for everyday transactions to require the use of these numbers as proof of identity. Numerous national ID proposals have been put forth already, and all US states are required to have smart-card based welfare systems in place by 2002. The US is only a bureaucratic leap away from joining other countries by making national ID cards a reality.

It's very likely that any national ID proposals that make it through will be labeled voluntary. That is, if you never plan to get a job, vote, travel, cash a check, open a bank account, go to the hospital, enroll in a public school, receive Medicare or other federal benefits, purchase insurance, or buy a gun, there'll be no real need to comply. Got it?

Within a few years, the debate over national ID cards will probably be a moot point, since biometric identification techniques are fast becoming the preferred method of the control-hungry bureaucracies we call "corporations" and "governments". But the issues will still be the same, since many of the underlying arguments can be applied to any ID technology.

So before you rush out to scan yourself into the system, decide for yourself if these universal identifiers are the all-encompassing solution governments are promising, or if they just might cause more problems than they solve. But don't say we didn't warn you.

Social Security: Your Number
All about your number from the folks that gave it to you. Complete with an online form for a new card!

Grassroots Granny
She really is a granny, and she really is pissed off...

State-Issued Driver's Licenses and Comparable Identification Documents; Proposed Rule
Here's the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration current proposal for a national ID system, requiring SSN #s to appear on all drivers' licenses. And you thought we were kidding...

Use of electronic food stamps rises, but faces tough challenges
Could electronic welfare cards be the pre-cursor to the national ID card?

Big Bro and National ID Card
Information about the 2D bar codes on the back of DMV-issued cards and how the information stored on them is used.

National ID Card Presentation
Good background on ID card initiatives in the US Government.

Identity Cards - A Consultation
A list of questions and answers from the Home Office in London. Quite informative.

EPIC: National ID Cards
Current information from the good folks at the Electronic Privacy Information Center. Includes links to pending legislation, articles, and related sites.

National ID Cards at Privacy International
This site includes a National ID Cards FAQ, information on campaigns of opposition to ID cards, and some personal views from around the world on ID cards. Well worth a look.

What to do when they ask for your Social Security Number
When you give out your number, you are providing access to information about yourself. You're providing access to information that you don't have the ability or the legal right to correct or rebut. Just say no!

EPIC: Social Security Numbers
Often the key to large amounts of personal information, including tax information, credit information, school records, and medical records, is keyed to your Social Security Number. Because this data is often sensitive, you should keep it private. You would think this is common sense, eh?

Alternative to Using Social Security Numbers in Large Organizations
This is handy stuff to know if the registrar at your school or the clerk at the video store is a bit too insistent that you part with your personal information.

Rule by Decree
A recent Executive Order 13083 from Clinton makes it much easier for the federal government to supercede the power of the states, making it legal for the feds to do anything they damn well please. If the states don't like imposed national ID cards, too bad.

Why Does the ACLU Oppose a National I.D. Card System?
In a nutshell, because they are "a primary tool of totalitarian governments to restrict the freedom of their citizens". But don't let that sneak-peek stop you from reading this well-informed article.

A National ID System: Big Brother's Solution to Illegal Immigration
Reasoned and well thought-out arguments as to why illegal immigration is no excuse to implement a national ID system.

Big Brother Goes High-Tech
The Covert Action Quarterly provides an excellent overview of the numerous ID technologies used by governments.

National ID Cards: The Threat to Privacy
The Netly News' excellent summary of the state of national ID cards proposals in the US government. This is a good source for specifics on how national ID requirements will probably be passed under the auspices of other laws.

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