Privacy Campaigners Welcome End Of ID Cards

Privacy and human rights groups have welcomed the news that one of the first acts of the Tory and Liberal Democrat government was to pledge to end the controversial ID card scheme.

Despite spiraling cost projections and widespread criticism, the ousted Labour government had continued to drive through the ID Card scheme, which it claimed was necessary to combat terrorism. However in a statement posted on the Home Office website this week, it was confirmed that further development of the project has been halted.

“Both Parties that now form the new government stated in their manifestos that they will cancel Identity Cards and the National Identity Register,” the statement reads. “We will announce in due course how this will be achieved. Applications can continue to be made for ID cards but we would advise anyone thinking of applying to wait for further announcements.”

Still Valid?

It is not clear whether those cards that have already been distributed will remain valid but the Home Office said that a decision would be reached soon. “Until Parliament agrees otherwise, identity cards remain valid and as such can still be used as an identity document and for travel within Europe. We will update you with further information as soon as we have it.”

Commenting on the news, human rights organistion Liberty welcomed the scrapping of the scheme and urged the new government to go further by abandoning other schemes that it claims could impinge on freedoms. “We welcome the way that the new coalition has bound itself together with civil liberties. It is Liberty’s job to hold it to its word. We celebrate the end of ID cards,” said Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty.

The Liberty director urged the parties to defend the Human Rights Act and avoid persecution of suspected terrorists. “Now the common values of the Human Rights Act must be proudly defended and the worst scandals of the War on Terror – punishment without trial and torture – must be investigated and halted,” she said.

ID cards have been issued in a few trial areas – including Manchester and London – on a voluntary basis, and the Home Office had said the ID cards would be available to the rest of the UK by 2011/12.

Amnesty International also welcomed the new government and challenged it to improve the UK’s standing on human rights. “Amnesty International looks forward to working with the new UK government. Repairing the UK’s reputation as a champion of justice and fairness, both at home and abroad, must be a priority,” said Amnesty International UK campaigns director Tim Hancock.

Act On the Digital Economy Act

The Open Rights Group has also welcomed the end of the ID Card scheme but is pushing for Nick Clegg to take action on the Digital Economy Act. “For all of us campaigning around the Digital Economy Act, we are concerned that the process is likely to proceed and recommend a disconnection regime. This requires political will to prevent. We sincerely hope the views Nick Clegg espoused during the election will hold, and be put into action. This will help restore trust among younger voters,” said Jim Killock Open Rights Group executive director.

The Digital Economy Act was finally passed in April 2010, as part of the wash-up process ahead of the general election, despite widespread opposition from MPs, Internet service providers and members of the public. The ability to cut-off the Internet access of persistent file-sharers has been vigorously opposed.