Anyone know more about this BT "uk identity verification" scheme?

[David Hansen]

On 5 Mar 2003 at 10:46, David Howe wrote:

> URU (You Are You) is designed to make identity mix-ups such as the
> recent arrest of pensioner Derek Bond in South Africa as one of the
> FBI's most wanted men far less common, say the developers of the
> system.

Then they (or their public relations people) are rather foolish. Such 
a system would, at best, have made precisely no difference in this 
case. At worst it could have made things even worse for Mr Bond.

Where do they get these people from? Is the hundreds of pounds that 
my business pays to them being well spent?
 
> It could also become a pre-requisite of any universal ID card, if the
> government decides to launch one, said BT.

Not according the the Home Office, but then I don't believe very much 
of what they say.
 
> It [snip] will e-mail them every time their ID is requested,

A good step forward, though one that could be circumvented in a 
number of ways. I wonder if "Simon's" consultation (note that I have 
been kind and not put the quotes around the word this time) on RIP 
will discuss a similar feature?

> "These systems can easily become impenetrable monopolies," said Head
> of Privacy International Simon Davies.

Agreed, as so-called credit reference agencies have become.


--
  David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E
 I will *always* explain why I revoke a key, unless the UK 
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