Report - Guardian

The LSE Identity Project Report: June 2005 235ID card for any public service, but it is likely that secondary legislation will be used toinclude this requirement. 616 Again, the use of the verification system and a card readerinfrastructure is the guaranteed implementation format. 617Links and Communications to the RegisterLinks between databases are expected to provide extra verification that an individual iswho they say they are, by ascertaining or confirming further details of an individual’sbiographical identity. The UKPS has already instigated the use of data sharing, with theOffice of National Statistics, and reports success with this objective relating toinformation provision concerning births and deaths. 618 Consequently, future plans toexpand upon this are being considered and the UKPS is in the process of: “forgingalliances with other Government departments and private sector organisations to sharedatabase information”. 619 A particular example is provided by plans for a global ‘BritishPassport Database’, allowing both the UKPS and the Foreign and CommonwealthOffice to access shared data, which will hold all details of passports that have beenissued overseas and provide information if there is a ‘stop’ on a passport. 620The extent and nature of these expected links is unclear, especially with regard to thedegree to which the private sector will be involved. On the one hand, the Government istalking about business using authentication services to reduce fraud and illegal workers,which will simultaneously provide some income. 621 On the other hand, the RegulatoryImpact Assessments state that the Bill as drafted places no requirements on business,charities or voluntary bodies to make identity checks using the system. 622This does not mean that such bodies will never be subject to such requirements. TheRIA states that verification charges will provide a source of revenue, either through anon-line enquiry facility or (direct) on-line access to the verification system with the useof card readers. 623 Whilst the term ‘organisations’ may simply be intended to refer topublic services, it is entirely conceivable that the commercial viability intended by thisverification service encompasses private sector organisations as well. Further, it isincreasingly likely that a charge will be made for employee checks, a requirement underthe Immigration and Asylum Act 1996, due to the ‘convenience’ and accuracy of thesystem, and the adverse inferences that will be drawn against employers who do not usethe register. 624To prevent the use of stolen cards, a check could involve the use of a secret password,pass-phrase or PIN when the card was issued, as proposed in the 2002 consultationdocument. 625 Using the call centre example, during telephone verification, theauthentication service would ask a random question based on this information; the616 Home Office – Identity Cards Bill Regulatory Impact Assessment, May 2005, paragraph 68617 Home Office – Identity Cards Bill Regulatory Impact Assessment, May 2005, paragraph 72618 ‘Confirming nationality and Identity and Enabling Travel’, The United Kingdom Passport Service Mission,Corporate and Business Plans 2003-2008/page 12619 ‘Confirming nationality and Identity and Enabling Travel’, page 12620 ‘Confirming nationality and Identity and Enabling Travel’, page 17621 Consultation Document, Section 5, 2003, paragraphs 40-48622 Home Office – Identity Cards Bill Regulatory Impact Assessment, May 2005, paragraph 11/12623 Home Office – Identity Cards Bill Regulatory Impact Assessment, May 2005, paragraph 23(i)/(ii)624 Home Office – Identity Cards Bill Regulatory Impact Assessment, May 2005, paragraph 43625 Consultation Document, Section 4, 2002, paragraph 75.