21 October 2006

Call for public trust in ID cards at Biometrics 2006

Eleanor Dallaway

Joan Ryan, UK Parliamentary under Secretary of State at the Home Office, told delegates at Biometrics 2006 on Thursday 19 October that public trust was the most essential factor in ensuring the success of the mooted ID card scheme. "There are risks around the delivery of this scheme – but we must gain public trust in order to move this forward. People must understand that improvements in security will improve their everyday lives”.

Against critics who say the scheme is too ambitious, Ryan insisted that the system will work, and that ID cards must be handled “securely and in a cost effective way”. She referred to the success of biometric visa requests and e-passports, and pointed out the help that such security systems have been to police and immigration offices. Over 2.5 million e-passports have already been issued. Ryan said: “These successes that have already been made show that this is the way to go”.

"The government has no monopoly of wisdom in this area”, admitted Ryan, “has to work very closely with the private sector.” But if the service is not introduced “it will be a dereliction of the government’s duty” she maintained.

"The card has huge potential. What can an ID card do for citizens? That is our priority, we need to broaden our horizons, and realize the potential”. Using the ID as a credit card was a suggestion which Ryan did not dismiss. “We need more involvement in industry. That is the crucial relationship”, Ryan concluded.

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