I have just read the the British government plans to take fingerprints of all children between 11 and 16 from 2010 onwards for the new biometric id cards. I personally think id cards in general are really necessary (and wonder why there are non in the UK), but I am against taking fingerprints or other biometric data - as it could be misused....

What do you think?

I personally think it's an invasion of privacy - kinda like they DNA tested thousands of men to try to catch a killer/rapist/similar a year or two back.
The gov means well (maybe) but that kind of information can be leaked/sold on.

I don't think its a bad idea in an ideal world but I don't think our government isn't organised enough to handle the sheer scale involved. I think the cost would be extremely high, the data would be vulnerable (would you like our home office in charge lol?) and as mentioned, could easily be misused. Then there's the small problem of trust... do you trust your government to handle your children's biometric info?

It feels like we're heading down a slippery slope. I wonder when the next government 'consultation' will be?

I'm so mixed on this subject. I know Italy have had ID cards for donkey years and it's never been a problem for them. I think the idea of ID cards is a good one, and theoretically, biometric ID to me is a damned fine idea... but that's just the thing... 'theoretically' many things are a great idea, but in reality? Far too many hurdles and risks.

ID cards/Age cards with a photo are fine as you need it to open bank accounts or whatever. If you give your fingerprint when you get a card a 16 or so that print is then stored and every time a print is discovered at a crime scene that print is compared to yours.

If a cards is lost stolen you can always get another but if someone manages to get their hands on you bio profile...

Even if there is a one in a million chance it can go wrong it's still to risky.
Also, if this starts, how long before your DNA sequence is also stored on the card?

http://management.silicon.com/government/0,39024677,39117107,00.htm