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An identity document (also known as I.D. or ID) is a piece of documentation designed to verify aspects of a person's identity. If an identity document is in the form of a small standard-sized card, such as an ISO 7810 card, it is called an identity card. What the identity document might include
Arguments for and against identity cards Identity cards are a source of continued debate. Their use is backed by law enforcement officials who claim that it can make surveillance and identification of criminals much easier. However, concern is also expressed about the extensive cost and potential abuse of hi-tech smartcards. In the United Kingdom and the United States especially, state-issued compulsory identity cards are a source of debate as they are regarded an infringement of privacy and civil liberties. Most criticism is directed towards possibilities of extensive abuse of identity documents because of the use of central databases to store sensitive data. Arguments in favor Arguments in opposition Identity cards worldwide Countries with compulsory identity cards According to Privacy International, as of 1996, around 100 countries had compulsory identity cards. The term "compulsory" may have different meanings and implications in different countries. The compulsory character may apply only after a certain age. Often, a ticket can be given for being found without one's identification document, or in some cases a person may even be detained until the identity is ascertained. In practice, random controls are rare, except in police states. Countries with non-compulsory identity cards A number of countries have non-compulsory identity card schemes. These include Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Sweden, Switzerland. Countries without an identity card system A number of countries do not use identity cards to verify identity. These include Australia, Denmark, India, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, and the United States. India is currently piloting an ID card system, see Multipurpose National Identity Card (India) France France has had a national ID card since 1940, when it helped the Vichy authorities identify 76,000 for deportation as part of the Holocaust. Italian philosopher Giorgio Agamben often underlines this, showing how anthropometry may be used by the state. In the past, identity cards were compulsory, had to be updated each year in case of change of residence and were valid for 10 years, and their renewal required paying a fee. In addition to the face photograph, the card included the family name, first names, date and place of birth, and the national identity number managed by the national INSEE registry, and which is also used as the national service registration number, as the Social Security account number for health and retirement benefits, for access to court files and for tax purposes. Later, the laws were changed so that any official and certified document (even if expired and possibly unusable abroad) with a photograph and a name on it, issued by a public administration or enterprise (such as a railroad transportation card, a student card, a driving licence or a passport) can be used to verify identity. Also, law enforcement (police, gendarmerie) can now accept photocopies of these documents when performing identity checks, provided that the original document is presented within two weeks. For financial transactions, any of these documents must be equally accepted as proof of identity. The current identity cards are now issued free of charge, and non-compulsory. The current government has proposed a compulsory biometric card system, which has been opposed by human rights groups and by the national authority and regulator on computing systems and databases, the Commission nationale de l’informatique et des libertés, CNIL. Another non-compulsory project is being discussed. The next generation of the French green card for the Social Security benefit, named "Carte Vitale",(which already includes a chip currently containing very little information) will include a digital photograph and other personal medical information in addition to health insurance elements. United Kingdom There has been no national identity card in the United Kingdom, but the Identity Cards Act (effective 30 March 2006) makes one compulsory for anyone getting a new or renewed passport from 2008. Driving licences and passports are now the most widely used ID documents. United States There is no national identity card in the United States of America. All attempts to create one have not been realised due political disagreements over infringement of privacy. Driver's licenses issued by the various states (along with special cards issued to non-drivers) are often used as proof of identity and a national identification card is often required for boarding airline flights or entering office buildings. Recent (2005) federal legislation that tightened requirements for issuance of driver's licenses has been seen by both supporters and critics as bringing the United States much closer to a de facto national identity card system. Note: As noted above, certain countries do not use national ID cards, but have other official documents that play the same role in practice (e.g. driver's license for the United States). While a country may not make it de jure compulsory to own or carry an identity document, it may be de facto strongly recommended to do so in order to facilitate certain procedures. Identity cards in the United States may be issued by a state to a person who may not have a state-issued driver license. For example, in California may be issued a senior citizens identity card. * Recently, some states have made an effort to require government-issued photo ID in order to verify a person's identity before voting. These efforts have generally been struck down by courts as an unconstitutional burden, particularly on the poor. * Other non-sovereign state ID cards Some Basque nationalist organizations are issuing para-official identity cards (Euskal Nortasun Agiria) as a means to reject the nationality notions implied by Spanish and French compulsory documents. Then, they try to use the ENA instead of the official document. For the people of Western Sahara, pre-1975 Spanish cards are the main proof that they were Saharaui citizens as opposed to recent Moroccan colonists. They would be thus allowed to vote in an eventual self-determination referendum. Non-national identity cards Some companies and government departments issue ID cards for security purposes; they may also be proof of a qualification. For example, all taxi drivers in the UK and Hong Kong carry ID cards. In Queensland, anyone working with children has to take a background check and get issued a Blue Card. See also | |||||||||
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