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Jim Harper

AOL, Red Hat, and Yahoo Support a U.S. National ID

Indirectly, anyway. They are members of the Information Technology Association of America, which continues to plead lamely for federal funding of the REAL ID Act, the United States’ moribund national ID law.

I’d been considering writing about an opinion poll purporting to favor REAL ID that ITAA has been touting this week, but mostly thought it should remain obscure. The headline of a Washington Technology article by Alice Lipowicz was too good to pass up, though:

ITAA to Congress: Cut a Check for REAL ID Now

I’ve long thought highly of the ITAA – they’ve taken many sensible pro-innovation and anti-regulatory positions over the years – but it’s embrassing to watch their slavish begging for federal dollars – all to build infrastructure that attacks the nation’s values.

A trade association representing the interests of its members in Washington is one thing. A gaggle of lobbyists that fishes around the Beltway for federal money – that’s quite another. I don’t think the people and companies in the tech industry are well represented by an organization that tries to promote a national ID, given the surveillance and tracking that attends it.

Take a look at their membership list for companies you’re familiar with. Indirectly, they’re supporting the REAL ID Act too. You could let them know what you think of that directly by contacting them or indirectly by withdrawing your patronage.

September 27, 2007 | Comments |

  • What It Might Look Like If: AOL Buys Out Red Hat
  • The implications for us as a free people are truly frightening. I hate to sound like a conspiracy 'nut' but what's next--implantable biometric chips? After all, that is the only sure way to know that you are who you say you are!
  • Don't be ridiculous, we function on a national ID here in South Africa and it's not at all a control mechanism. I suppose it all depends what you mean by 'national ID' but I think that a lot of Americans aren't really sure on the details. It may be, though, that they'll never succeed simply because of the backlash of even thinking of something like this. I guess 1984 sure drove it's point home, and good for the author!
  • Since the President of your country is a close friend – a classmate actually – of our President, now I know where Her Excellency got the idea of national ID schemes. Actually, this scheme has advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is that I won’t carry lots of IDs whenever I need to go to the bank or encash a payment or other legal matters. One disadvantage is this will allow other people to have access on my personal accounts. Hacking is just anywhere. I guess if only the government would tell the WHYs of this scheme we won’t be left here thinking and fearful about what this will lead us.
  • I think the idea of an ID card is a great idea. There are of course lots of conspiracy theorists out there who reckon it'd be a bit like Big Brother but think of the advantages.

    1 ID instead of many. (Potentially) online voting. easier movement of people around Europe and USA Canada and Australia
  • I have absolutely no problem with the idea of id cards. I'm not in the least bit concerned if the government have a huge database with all it's citizens on it as long as I think I can trust our governmnet which I thank we can in this country.

    The whole idea actually makes me safe, the only people I can see having a problem with it are the people who are up to no good anyway. So bring it on in my opinion.
  • i don't have any problem with one id. i think is a great idea.
  • I too think ID cards are a great idea. Imaging how much simpler it would be! and for those who think that it would be an invasion of their priviacy in some way I ask: What have you got to hide? Whats the problem?

    Helen
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