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Subject: Computer Experts Question National ID Schemes

For Immediate Release: December 17, 2001 For More Information: Susan Evoy, cpsr@cpsr.org, 650-322-3778

COMPUTER EXPERTS QUESTION NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION SCHEMES

Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR), a twenty year old international association of computer experts, released an FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) explaining and critiquing recent proposals to create national identification schemes (NIDS) in the United States, Canada, and other countries.

CPSR explains that a national identification scheme "could combine the functions of a driver's license, social security registration, immigration documents, and other government- issued identification." Individuals would be entered in a national data base and issued a "smart" card containing personal information, including, in some recent proposals, biometric data such as fingerprints or retina scans.

CPSR president Coralee Whitcomb said, "CPSR doubts that national identification schemes can provide additional security against terrorist attacks." She added, "These ideas have been around for a while, but after September 11 their proponents, including potential suppliers, who stand to profit handsomely from massive ID Card programs, used the climate of fear to dust them off in response to the public's desire for improved security. National identification schemes instead would endanger civil liberties, allowing those with access to the data base to track the behavior, associations, and finances of innocent people."

Moreover, a new identification system could "leave us relying on the wrong approach to security, and create a false sense of security that leaves us more vulnerable than before," Whitcomb said.

CPSR is a public-interest alliance of computer scientists and others concerned about the impact of computer technology on society. As technical experts, CPSR members continue to provide the public and policymakers with realistic assessments of the power, promise and limitations of computer technology.

CPSR representatives are available for interviews, testimony and other communications.

Links to resources about National ID Card position statements and press coverage, ID Cards for immigrants, Smart Cards, Social Security Numbers, Biometrics (Fingerprints, Retina Scanning, and Face Recognition), and General Security Principles can be found at http://www.cpsr.org/program/natlID/natlIDlinks.html

The FAQ is at http://www.cpsr.org/program/natlID/natlIDfaq.html

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-- Susan Evoy * Managing Director http://www.cpsr.org/ Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility P.O. Box 717 * Palo Alto * CA * 94302 Phone: (650) 322-3778 * Email: evoy@cpsr.org Join/Renew online: https://swww.igc.apc.org/cpsr/sec-membership-form.html

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