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Technology Stocks : Identix (IDNX) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: steve who wrote (25887)	4/19/2004 8:29:02 PM
From: steve	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 26039

Home Office holds secret ID-card talks By Marie Woolf ,Political Correspondent 20 April 2004 A top-secret military research firm that produces weaponry and "electronic warfare" systems for the Army is in talks with the Home Office about a blueprint for ID cards. QinetiQ, a hi-tech organisation which used to be part of Porton Down, the chemical and biological centre, has drawn up plans for a pocket-sized card that could reveal hundreds of facts about an individual through a "bar code" similar to those on products in supermarkets. The defence technology company, which is part-owned by the Government, has been discussing biometric tests for the card to stop fraud and ensure accurate identification. The firm showed the Home Office plans for fingerprint and iris scans as well as advanced face-recognition technology. The secret talks, which come before the Cabinet or Parliament has approved ID cards, will alarm those who fear David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, plans to force them through despite widespread opposition. Ministers argue that compulsory ID cards will threaten civil liberties and lead to ethnic minorities being targeted by the police. They believe the system would also cost too much to administer and be open to fraud. But Tony Blair believes ID cards could protect against illegal immigration and terrorism. Mr Blunkett plans to introduce legislation next month setting out plans for the cards, which would be voluntary at first, except for foreign nationals. The card would cost about £80 and Mr Blunkett is expected to urge everyone to carry one. QinetiQ - formerly the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency - believes its blueprint will be cheaper and more secure than a card with a microchip. It has discussed using "hyper spectral" recognition that examines the reflection of light from an individual's skin. Neil Fisher, the director of security solutions at QinetiQ, said: "We want to ensure the authorities introduce an ID card for the right reasons and are not limiting the options." news.independent.co.uk steve