SENTINEL WATCH August 15, 2005 Issue

MORE MEANINGFUL THAN ID CARDS

JOHN SCOTT

IN TIMES OF HEIGHTENED SECURITY, many people consider carrying identity cards a useful safety measure. Here in the United Kingdom, there are plans to introduce cards based on biometric data—fingerprints, iris recognition, and facial features. Biometrics is a short way of describing the statistical analysis of physical features deemed to be unique to the human being. The information is all embedded in a microchip on a plastic card, which when swiped is to be the means of confirming people's identity.

The proposals are meeting opposition from civil liberty groups concerned about state intrusion and the fear that Big Brother is watching too closely. There is also concern about the accuracy of the as yet untested technology, as well as the high cost per person.

As I see it, while identity cards may help protect society, it's important to be aware of what we are measuring and assessing. Intuitively, most of us know that identity is not defined only physically. We think of people through the qualities they express—thoughtfulness, kindness, joy, humor, selflessness.