¶ … identity is a means of classifying an individual when it comes to private matter and the government. How a government identifies someone or an institution, is through the use of an identity card. An identity card has a serial number and a picture that helps law enforcement, government agencies and other organizations identity an individual for potential jobs, loans, and even for medical care. However there are some issues with identity cards. For instance, are can people who have access to this information treat individuals unfairly, will there be higher instances of identity theft? Can "Big Brother" use this as a means of spying on civilians? It's important to look at this issue from various angles.
The UK has, for a number of years, set in motion creation of a system to update their identity card regulations and procedures. "A law was passed which established the intention to create a national personal identity management infrastructure for the UK, consisting of a large central registry of personal identity data, and the issuing of identity cards to all UK citizens by 2012" (Beynon-Davies, 2011, p. 12).. Though there is intention for creation of infrastructure related to an identity card within the UK, some say it may infringe on rights. As earlier mentioned in the introduction of the article, someone could be denied a government job based on family history. This can be seen as encroachment of personal rights and privacy in general. However some believe it can aid in faster identification of terrorist activity as well as provide better ways to tackle identity theft. Still, the issue of government surveillance will always be looming as it provides people with the tools to monitor civilians regarding several areas like jobs, addresses and so forth.
How prevalent is the use of identity cards in various situations in which you find yourself?
Job applications, bank loans, medical care, all require the use of an identity card. This is to ensure that the person is who they say they are as identity theft is rampant in this day and age and often happens due to the use of falsified documents and stolen birth certificates. Furthermore, the picture in the id helps people see and validate the identity of the person easily rather than guessing like with credit or debit cards. Often for the above mentioned scenarios, more than two forms of identification are required, but identity cards are the standard.
Job applications often need one's identity card. This is especially true for government jobs that often require finger print scanning as well. Identity cards are one of the first things asked for to make sure the persona applying is a citizen. So many times immigrants come for work and try to work without documents. Identity cards help prevent immigrants or criminals from taking legal jobs within the country.
Bank loans are often needed for anyone wishing to purchase an expensive item like a house or car. Because an individual is taking a lot of money from the bank in order to buy something, their identity has to be confirmed before applying. Therefore an identity card is mandatory and an important step in beginning the loan application process. Without one, a person cannot apply for a loan.
The third scenario, medical care needs the use of identity card in order to determine payment and medical history. As earlier mentioned, identity cards in the UK can help hospitals figure out a patient's medical history, especially allergies and medications. It can also help determine whether or not the person is insured. Ultimately identity cards make the process of registration and treatment easier and faster because of the use of these cards to show who the person is and their medical history.
2. How are identity tokens related to issues such as identity theft and identity fraud?
The use of identity tokens was an abandoned concept in December of 2010. Even though it was a promoted endeavor, it had a bit of a backlash as people were worried of invasion of privacy. "On the one hand, the attempt and its management plays as supporting infrastructure in areas such as e-Government and -- Business….the introduction of a national identifier raised major challenges to data protection, privacy, and public trust" (Beynon-Davies, 2011, p. 12). The reason why the public felt identity tokens could pose a risk for fraud is simply because of the ease of access to personal information. Personal information used to have to be accessed through papers and certain security clearances. People with the right tools could get all of someone's private information simply by accessing an identity token.
Especially in today's market, people can have access to...
"The identity card scheme was explicitly mentioned within this report as one potentially powerful aspect of government surveillance technology which would impact on these areas" (Beynon-Davies, 2011, p. 19). People also felt the government would not be competent enough to handle the private information of the public. "In October 2007, the records of 25 million individuals dealt with….in relation to the provision of child benefits were lost" (Beynon-Davies, 2011, pg. 19). Other agencies lost private information as well such as drivers' licenses and so forth.
What does identity mean in both the online and offline world?
The online world has a different risk level than the offline world. Someone can simply input a credit card number at any disreputable site and have their information stolen and used. In the offline world, this can happen while at a restaurant paying a meal. They can steal a person's credit card or debit card information simply be swiping it in a machine that takes card information. The similarities however exist in the way the stolen information is used and handled.
Online, people who steal private information may go to a section of the internet called the "deep web" and auction off the information to a seller who in turn may use it or charge someone to assume the identity stolen. The same thing happens in the offline world. They sell private information to people, usually illegal immigrants and sometimes even take information from deceased individuals, reusing them, making slightly newer ones. This has happened for decades, except online, it's faster and the stolen information receives exposure to a number of sources.
In terms of meaning, identity means access to convenience in the online world. Since one cannot really sign or show picture id in most websites, a card number or number sequences, username, and password are usually required in order to prove identity and access features like emails and payment methods. The offline world needs picture identification and may store personal information online or in computers without online use. These forms of identity are not only more stringent than an online identity, but also helps prevent identity theft better because of the use of pictures and showing authentic documentation.
Identity in every sense of the word can be seen in a variety of ways and typically denotes meaning based on perspective. "Taking the case of British naturalization, the process whereby migrants become citizens, we show that the identity of naturalized citizens is defined by common-sense ideas about Britishness and by immigration policies" (Andreouli and Howarth, 2012, p. 361). Identity defined through perspective can also share implications in both the offline and online world. The offline world through documentation and the online world through networking sites and payment methods.
What benefits and dangers do profiles of individual's hold?
Profiles are great for several reasons. They offer a combination of easily accessible personal information that hospitals, jobs, and banks can access. "Personal identity combined with historical and transactional data held about the individual would make it theoretically possible for government to build behavioral profiles of its citizenry" (Beynon-Davies, 2011, p. 15). It can also help the government better identify potential threats or acts of terror. Although some people find this to be an invasion of privacy, others find it to help them feel safer against potential criminal activity.
Ease of access, convenience is a tremendous benefit when it comes to profiles. One only has to give number or show an identification card, and then all the information associated with the profile comes up. Like the situation with the woman who collapsed, being able to receive the kind of medications she's on, her address, her insurance information, makes for speedier processing of her paperwork as well as treatment. In these cases, profiles can be very beneficial to someone.
The downside is citizens who commit mistakes are more easily identified. "A national identifier would make it easier for government to build a profile of its citizens, and on this basis, government agencies could make decisions about awarding benefits, employing people, or issuing fines" (Beynon-Davies, 2011, p. 15). Things like fine and arrest warrants are easier to check for and therefore makes it easier for law enforcement to apprehend and fine individuals who broke the law. Oftentimes people are not willing to part with their personal information also due to potential stalker activity. Corruption…
