NO2ID News No. 90

31 January 2008

MAKING PROGRESS

The Identity & Passport Service is having a bad month.

While their political masters cling desperately to the "magic bullet" of biometrics, claiming everything's proceeding to plan, the officials who actually drive the ID scheme have just had their entire strategy leaked. And two of the eight 'lead suppliers' shortlisted to build the scheme just dropped out.

The scheme's not dead, but the panic's beginning to show.

We annotated a copy of the strategy document and made sure you (and the whole world) could read it, amongst other places at:

http://wikileaks.org/wiki/National_Identity_Scheme_Options_Analysis_Outcome

A lot of the work that NO2ID does, you don't see. It's only at times like these that you may get a sense of how much briefing and lobbying, research, analysis and intelligence gathering we do. Week in, week out - we can't afford to slack off. Whether the papers are writing about NO2ID and ID cards or not, we have to be ready to make use of every opportunity. And working to create opportunities of our own.

We hope that you will already have seen some of the other things we do - the leaflets, pamphlets, badges, banners and other materials that we produce and distribute; information on the website and forums; coverage generated by interviews and press releases. Supporting our network of ID heroes and heroines, running local groups the length and breadth of the UK.

You can help. Please join the campaign by setting up a regular payment here:

http://www.no2id.net/getInvolved/join.php

You can use PayPal (which now takes credit cards), set up a standing order or use our bank details to sort out an arrangement with your own bank. Every penny you give will be spent fighting ID cards and the database state.

We're making progress. With your help, we WILL win

What's Next?

Kula Shaker promotes NO2ID on tour
UK rock band Kula Shaker have been promoting NO2ID on their current tour (see http://www.kulashaker.co.uk) and we have stalls manned by volunteers at most of the following gigs: 04/02/08 - Exeter, Lemon Grove, 05/02/08 - Bristol, Anson Rooms, 06/02/08 - Waterfront, Norwich, 08/02/08 - Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 09/02/08 - Carling Academy 2, Birmingham. If you would like to help out on one of the stalls, then contact Matty Mitford, local.groups@no2id.net or the relevant NO2ID local group.

Data sharing consultation - (closes 15th February)
A consultation on data sharing has been launched by the Ministry of Justice. The consultation document is at (www.justice.gov.uk/publications/data-sharing-review-consultation.htm). Please also send NO2ID details (with evidence) of occasions where public authorities or others are demanding more information than necessary for the purpose. Our address is NO2ID, Box 412, 19-21 Crawford Street, London W1H 1PJ or send by e-mail to (office@no2id.net). There is a discussion of how to go about submitting evidence for the consultation at http://forum.no2id.net/viewtopic.php?t=20073

Local groups news

We have local groups all over the country and in 36 of the 69 locations of ID interrogation centres (see www.no2id.net/getInvolved/idCentres.php). If you can help to set up a local group in one of the remaining towns then please contact us at (office@no2id.net). A full list of local groups can be found at www.no2id.net/localGroups

Brighton & Hove

1st February Brighton & Hove NO2ID Benefit gig
Friday, 1st February 8pm-12am at The East Slope Bar, Refectory Road, Sussex University. Live music to dance to from Rum Boogie, and 24Sweed'n, the acoustic ukulele genius.

Cambridge

6th February - Cambridge NO2ID pub meeting (1st Wednesday of each month)
Wednesday, 6th February 7.30pm at the Salisbury Arms, 76 Tenison Rd, Cambridge CB1 2DW. Map: (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=cb1+2dw). For more details contact cambridge@no2id.net, or text/call Andrew on 07710 469624.

16th February - NO2ID Cambridge Stall
Saturday, 16th February at 1a0am in the usual spot outside Cambridge Guildhall at 10am on Saturday 16th February. Location Map: http://tinyurl.com/eo42r. As ever, volunteers to help very welcome - please email cambridge@no2id.net, or text/call Andrew on 07710 469624 if you can make it.

Canterbury

6th February - Canterbury NO2ID Meeting (1st Wednesday of each month)
Wednesday, 6th February 7.30pm at Coffee and Corks, Palace Street, Canterbury. Email canterbury@no2id.net for more info.

Edinburgh

Saturdays 1pm - 3pm - NO2ID Edinburgh street stall
Every week, weather permitting, you will find our campaigning stall at the east end of Princes Street, opposite the Balmoral Hotel. Do drop by for a chat. New volunteers - please contact John(edinburgh@no2id.net), and for more group information see http://www.no2id-scotland.net/edinburgh/

Glasgow

Most Saturdays 2pm - NO2ID Glasgow Street Stall
Most Saturdays there are stalls in Glasgow city centre (usually Buchanan Street) from about 2pm. Volunteers are always welcome, please contact Geraint if you would like to help: glasgow@no2id.net

Kensington & Chelsea

1st February - Kensington & Chelsea NO2ID stall, Portobello Green
Friday, 1st February, Kensington & Chelsea NO2ID will hold a stall at Portobello Green. Please contact Jill at kensington@no2id if you are willing and able to help.

7th February - Meeting 'Liberty vs ID cards'
Thursday, 7th February 7.30pm at the church on the corner of Westbourne Grove and Ledbury Road, Notting Hill, we are having a talk by the libertarian academic Dr Sean Gabb on 'Liberty v ID cards' and NO2ID's own Guy Herbert on the NO2ID Pledge. If you want more details or wish to help contact Jill as above.

8th February - Kular Shaker stall
Friday, 8th February we plan to assist at the NO2ID stall during Kular Shaker's event at Shepherd's Bush Empire.

Our NO2ID mugs will be available at each venue £4 each or £3 each for 4 or more and if you come in person there is no need to pay postal charges!

Leicester

31st January - Pledge signing event
Thursday, 31st January from 7pm at the Blues pub in Oadby. Instead of the usual Wednesday meeting we will be signing the NO2ID pledge to refuse to register for the national ID card. Everybody welcome as we'll be including this event in a press release and we would like a good turnout!

Manchester

9th February - Manchester NO2ID street stall
Saturday, 9th February, from 1pm-3pm in St.Ann's Square, Manchester.

13th February - Manchester NO2ID meeting
Wednesday, 13th February from 7pm-9pm at the Town Hall Tavern, Tib Lane, Manchester.

Newcastle/Gateshead

20th February - Taking Liberties showing
Wednesday, 20th February 7.30pm at the Star and Shadow Cinema. The acclaimed film Taking Liberties, featuring NO2ID, will be shown.

Oxford

On Sunday NO2ID Oxford staged a 'Barbeque for the Grilling Centre' to highlight the opening of the UK Identity and Passport Service (UKIPS) interrogation centre in Oxford. The group are concerned that very few Oxfordshire residents are aware of the centre's existence or its purpose. Chairman of the group Chris Rimmer said: "The Identity and Passport Service wants to quietly start grilling everyone in the country. They want all of your personal details and your fingerprints. Could they treat us more like criminals if they tried?".
For more information see NO2ID Oxford's website at http://no2id-oxford.org.uk

Shrewsbury

18th February - Shrewsbury NO2ID meeting
Monday, 18th February 8pm in the Armoury, Victoria Quay, Victoria Avenue Welsh Bridge
Shrewsbury (http://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/pub6_7.html). Look for a table with black-and-red NO2ID flyers scattered around; we'll try to get a table at the fireplace/toilet end of the pub (but look at other tables too if we didn't get seats there).

Southampton

6th February - Southampton NO2ID Meeting (1st Wednesday of each month)
Wednesday, 6th February 8.00pm at the Dolphin pub in St Denys, Southampton. We hold irregular stalls in Southampton and environs. Please contact Southampton.no2id@gmail.com if you would like to take part, or come to the next meeting.

Southwark

8th February - Southwark NO2ID at the SEOne Club
Friday 8th February 9pm at the SEOne Club in Weston Street, underneath London Bridge. The venue opens at 9pm and continues until 8am on Saturday morning. We will be highlighting the NO2ID Pledge as well as the petition.

Worcester

6th February - Worcester NO2ID pub meeting (No meeting in January)
Wednesday, 6th February 2000 at The Portobello, Bransford Road, St John's, Worcester (http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=383268&Y=253763&A=Y&Z=1). Our regular, meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month. This month: Roles, Recruitment and the Rest of Worcestershire. Contact Worcester@no2id.net or 01905 735986

Worthing

31st January - Screening of Taking Liberties
Thursday, January 31st 8pm upstairs at The Rest Bar, Bath Place (off Montague Street), Worthing BN13 1AB.

What just happened?

Leaked ID scheme document reveals coercion plan

This week NO2ID enlisted the help of bloggers across the world to spread a leaked government document describing how the government intends to go about "coercing" citizens onto the National Identity Register. The document relates to the previously leaked 'NIS Delivery Strategy - Aligning strategy and delivery' PowerPoint presentation. The 'ID card' is revealed as little more than a cover to create an official dossier and trackable ID for every UK resident - creating the database state. The document contradicts previous government assertions that no British citizen will be forced to have an ID card when it says: "Various forms of coercion, such as designation of the application process for identity documents issued by UK Ministers (e.g. passports), are an option to stimulate applications in a manageable way".
The document, annotated by NO2ID, can be downloaded from http://wikileaks.org/wiki/National_Identity_Scheme_Options_Analysis_Outcome

ID to be required for travel from Shetland to Aberdeen

NorthLink Ferries are to introduce a photo ID requirement for passengers travelling between Shetland and Aberdeen from 1st May. The ferry company claims that the move to introduce the checks is in the interests of anti-terrorist security. Shetland MSP Tavish Scott said: "I do not find the argument that the boat is a terrorist target a credible one". Under the move passengers without photo ID, including small children will not be allowed to travel. NorthLink's ferry service is touted as a "lifeline" service for the residents of Shetland and receives funding from the Scottish Executive, it remains to be seen whether NorthLink's plans to exclude non-ID carrying passengers breaches their contract.

More government IT and database failures

This week it was announced that the National Offender Management Service (Noms) is to be scrapped and with it 'C-Nomis' a £250m project to install a computer database that would track offenders through the prison and probation systems. The database has been scrapped after a series of technical failures. Meanwhile the HM Courts Service case management IT system 'Libra' is apparently back on track - 16 years late and costing nearly three times more than expected. The 'Libra' will apparently speed up the time taken to deal with offenders by supporting standard ways of working in courts.

EU Digital Identity Sector report

A report, 'Overcoming Barriers in the EU Digital Identity Sector', has been released by the institute for prospective technological studies (ipts). Amongst other things the report mentions profiling and data sharing and points out that : "Data protection is taken very seriously in Germany but less so in other areas of Europe and still less in the US, where data mining is increasingly widespread". The report also states that: "Some interesting work is being done [...] by the EU-funded GUIDE project, researching the potential for data sharing across European borders. This will eventually culminate in a 'real-world "proof of concept"'. Ultimately the report admits that "the experts were not able to reach consensus on a list of the most important and/or challenging barriers with a view to prioritising them" and suggests that "in order to draw clear policy conclusions, it soon became obvious that policy making in this field is in need of a more compelling taxonomy or classification that would allow for a more thorough cross-disciplinary analysis".
The report can be downloaded at http://www.jrc.es/publications/pub.cfm?id=1533

(Please send me any items of interest you encounter - Editor(newsletter@no2id.net) )

Publication details: © NO2ID 2010 - This document may be freely redistributed in one-to-one communications or physical copies as long as it is reproduced in its entirety including this notice. It may not be mass-mailed without the prior permission of NO2ID.
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