Biometric Identification. Kim Cameron is doing a nice job of keeping both the technical and social implications of fingerprinting or other biometric identification visible so that we do not get led astray by the relative ease of delivering a biometric identification system.
Way back when I was designing systems for IBM360s and the like, identification of people for the systems was always a significant part of the work and often we would call for everybody to be tattooed with a bar code at birth. Somehow this never caught on... damn liberals! Now we have extremists in governments of significance who have brought gunboat diplomacy to new levels and who view state collection of information about the individual as a natural part of keeping the world safe.It may not be clear what the issue is ... why shouldn't governments, law enforcement, and lunch monitors require you to be registered on a database of good guys (or bad guys) in order for you to receive your rights or go about your lawful business?
Beijing’s new Internet identity system. According to the Financial Times, the Chinese government has clear digital identity ideas of its own.
It's a simple solution, really. Just make sure the government knows who everyone is and what they are doing all the time while they use the internet. This applies as much to your identity as an “elf” as to your identity as a professional. Under a “real name verification system†to crack down on internet usage – and prevent internet addiction among the young – Chinese police are to check the identity card numbers of all would-be players of internet games.While it is unclear how rigorously the system will be enforced, Monday’s move highlights Beijing’s desire to more closely regulate the internet and reduce the potential for anonymity… The same crack down will help ensure Chinese bloggers aren't inconvenienced with the kinds of vexing issues we've faced here with the Sierra affair.
According to FT: More here… Identifying the source of the problem. Ever since I started this blog, I’ve been trying to stress the importance of dealing prudently with the Three Is of Information: Identity, Intellectual Property Rights and the Internet. Recent events have only served to highlight why.
Most of you are aware of the tragic time that Kathy Sierra has had, her response, the polarised debate that ensued, the continuing firestorm, culminating, at least for the time being, in Alan Herrell’s e-mail to Doc. The blogosphere is a small world; you have seen me refer to Kathy’s writings many times; I have, and continue to have, enormous respect for her and her writings; and I know many of the people involved in the debate (at both extremes!)
, and count quite a few as my friends. Much has been said in the heat of the moment, and much emotion expressed. These are sad times. Nobody should have to put up with the perverseness, hate, misogyny and bullying that was directed at Kathy. And Identity is where I would begin. Who owns you? If the current Australian government has its way. they will own the identity of every Australian, or as close to it as makes little difference.
Hysterical? Only slightly ... we have a proposal for an identity card chipped to contain various identifying characteristics of the holder (potentially very sensitive health information for instance) that the proposed legislation states will be the property of the Government. The legislation has been drafted so hastily there is virtually NOTHING in it about privacy considerations.
Need to make a Medicare claim, access health services, welfare benefits? The idea is that services that you are entitled to can be refused (some MUST be refused) if you fail to produce your card. Now this has actually been around for some time, and I'm ashamed to say I've been letting it slide from my attention. This isn't going away - I'm sure the bill will be resurrected in some form. Want to know more?