CBI and ID Cards
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.[1]
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.
