Sir, As the House of Lords prepares to examine the Government’s ID Cards Bill, my company’s research shows that four in five British people accept that biometric information on ID cards, such as fingerprints or facial scans, is the most secure and certain way of proving their identity.

Technology is undoubtedly the key to thwarting identity theft (reports, March 3) and there is no scientific evidence to demonstrate that any technology other than biometrics is better for verifying identities. However, according to our research, half the population is worried about the security of the proposed ID card. The biometric technologies involved have not been proved on the necessary scale required for the UK’s national identity scheme.

Before investing millions in these technologies the Government must evaluate them fully using a sophisticated computer model. The ID Cards Bill does not provide for this — a point which the Lords need to consider.

A well-designed ID card system with the proper safeguards will authenticate identity without infringeing people’s civil liberties. But in order to gain confidence and minimise confusion we need to prove the underpinning technologies.

Yours faithfully,
PAULINE NEVILLE-JONES,
(Chairman),
QinetiQ Group,
Cody Technology Park,
Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 0LX.
March 5.

From Mr Nigel Podolski

Sir, My bank telephones periodically to suggest that I take part in a telephone “business review”. When I agree to take part in its marketing exercise it gives me a couple of security questions, including my date of birth, cited by Which? (report, March 3) for identity fraud. I always refuse and the caller rings off.

Is it any wonder that an identity theft takes place “every four minutes” if bank customers are invited to treat personal information so lightly?

Yours faithfully,
NIGEL PODOLSKI,
3 Aspen Way,
Norwich, Norfolk NR4 6UA.
npodolski@compuserve.com
March 7.

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