May 28, 2005

• I belong to an online survey panel (NFO My Survey). A while back, they conducted a survey with TRUSTe “to find out what consumers think about a recent proposal to issue every American citizen a national identification card.”

  The results:
  

  * 50% of the respondents were in favor of such a card
  * 33% of respondents were not in favor
  * 17% were unsure

  The survey also asked for opinions about another current issue under discussion by government and other organizations – the potential use of biometric data (such as fingerprints or DNA) to verify identity.

  * 52% of respondents thought that use of biometric data to verify identity would make it much harder for terrorists to operate within the United States.
  * 61% felt it would greatly reduce personal privacy because the government would be able to track your movements and 64% indicated that they believed there would be a high potential for government to misuse the information.
  * 69% reported that they thought biometrics would make identity theft more difficult.
  * Only 49% felt that the use of biometrics for a government-issued I.D. would make America more secure.

  *sigh*

  Btw, I’ve been informed that an RFID (or something like it) chip is due to start being put in passports. If you want a passport without this “feature”, get one now.

  • 5:37 pm
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