Enthusiasm Tempers for REAL ID?
Via Techdirt, a CNet report/update on Real ID, the humdinger of an ID solution that’s supposed to be “anti-terrorism,” according to the Department of Homeland Security. But with 45 states requesting waivers and the other 5 just not complying, DHS might have found the limit at which citizens will refuse to exchange civil rights for national security. DHS touts the 45 states requesting waivers as progress, but it sounds more like they’re just biding time.
To refresh, the Real ID not only has bar-coded information like SSN and birth information on it, but it also connects to a single citizen database to cross-reference for suspected terrorists. A lot of people think it sounds like one-stop shopping for identity thieves, which has cooled DHS’s enthusiasm. The states could lead on this one, and it sounds like they’re firmly against it.
More on REAL ID at Total Lawyers.
March 8th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
It’s a relief to hear that state’s aren’t jumping on the bandwagon, but what is their rationale? Is this an objection to the creepy Big Brother nature of the system (especially in conjuction with the FBI’s current efforts to gather DNA, retinal, facial structure and similar data), or simply a matter of expense and convenience?
March 10th, 2008 at 8:32 am
The expense is a major issue, you’re right, with one article suggesting that the price tag for ID cards would raise from the current price of $10-$25 to $90 per card. However, a lot of concerns are being raised about identity theft in particular, the “one-stop shopping” idea I mentioned above.
Here’s Montana governor Brian Schweitzer about it:
http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/01/montana-governo.html
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87991791