CBI: eBusiness, Data Protection and ID Cards
The CBI's eBusiness Group strives to help build UK competitiveness in the UK economy by ensuring that the UK government and international bodies that set policy and regulatory frameworks in the new economy understand the potential and needs of UK businesses. The Group works to its objectives by running an e-Business Council drawn from CBI members in all sectors to provide a voice for business as a whole, not just the technology sector, on developments in the new economy, and is therefore authoritative with Government, the media and the business world.[1] The CBI e-Business Council’s aim is to identify ways in which electronic forms of business can help companies to innovate, raise productivity, increase competitiveness and gain higher value from product and service offerings. The council brings together people committed to building UK innovation, growth and economic competitiveness from a wide range of different sectors including executives from telecoms, IT, media and service integrator suppliers; as well as Government policymakers.[2]
Business leaders are backing ID cards despite having concerns about the details of government proposals on the issue. The CBI says the cards could help in combating fraud and bring social and economic benefits for business and individuals. It is concerned however that companies will be left to "carry the can" if information on cards is wrong.
CBI deputy director-general John Cridland insists:
- Companies want ID cards to be a universal identity-authentication system. But they are concerned the government has not appreciated the dangers of driving through a vague and insufficiently thought-out plan.[3]
The Home Office wants ID cards carrying biometric data, such as fingerprints and iris scans, made compulsory by 2013.
Jeremy Beale, head of e-business policy at the CBI added: “Greater clarity on the functionality is needed. At the moment, there is no way of knowing how much biometric information will be included in the system and how much interoperability there will be with existing private sector identity management systems.” But he believes that once firms have this information and a clear timeline for the scheme they can start planning their own ID management projects.
