"Digital driving licence"

[Chz]

If so, this is relatively new. DO Giffgaff ask for ID to order one online?

Ah, no you don't need ID for a PAYG sim from a high street store.

Looks like Giffgaff may ask for proof you're over 18 however.

That will change. Already half of Europe and Australia require ID for a SIM, even pre-paid. The cops benefit too much to ignore it for any slightly law and order type government.

 

[Spymaster]

It is a pay-as-you-go phone.

That’s likely specific to that supplier then. Use another if you don’t like it. Or don’t have a phone.

 

[brogdale]

That will change. Already half of Europe and Australia require ID for a SIM, even pre-paid. The cops benefit too much to ignore it for any slightly law and order type government.

is this in an attempt to stop 'burner' phones?

 

[Chz]

is this in an attempt to stop 'burner' phones?

That's the concept. I don't know if there's any effectiveness to it. AFAIA, criminals in France still use mobile phones.

 

[PTK]

That’s likely specific to that supplier then. Use another if you don’t like it. Or don’t have a phone.

I have had the SIM card, and the phone number, for 20 years, and I receive important texts about medical appointments on it.

 

[brogdale]

That's the concept. I don't know if there's any effectiveness to it. AFAIA, criminals in France still use mobile phones.

Presume it just creates another 'black market'?

 

[Spymaster]

I have had the SIM card, and the phone number, for 20 years, and I receive important texts about medical appointments on it.

Then get some ID

 

[PTK]

That will change. Already half of Europe and Australia require ID for a SIM, even pre-paid. The cops benefit too much to ignore it for any slightly law and order type government.

It was the case 20 years ago that shops asked for an ID when customers bought a mobile phone.

 

[PTK]

Then get some ID

I should get a driving licence or a passport?

 

[Spymaster]

I should get a driving licence or a passport?

Or switch to a supplier who’ll take something else. Mine ask for a utility bill or bank statement.

 

[xenon]

It was the case 20 years ago that shops asked for an ID when customers bought a mobile phone.

Most people bought them on contracts back then, so not unreasonable to want to know who you're entering a credit deal with. Hardly a problem is it?

 

[Chz]

It was the case 20 years ago that shops asked for an ID when customers bought a mobile phone.

For a contract, yes. But I bought a phone not 3 months ago that required no ID because I bought it outright. And my monthly PAYG service required no ID either, though I do need some form of payment method because I'm far too lazy to wander into a shop and top it up with cash.

 

[brogdale]

Most people bought them on contracts back then, so not unreasonable to want to know who you're entering a credit deal with. Hardly a problem is it?

Well, initially the young shop-worker told me that without the photo ID of a passport of driving licence card i could not purchase the SIM so, had I taken that advice on face value and not contested the validity of my paper driving licence, that very much would have presented a problem to me as the consumer.

 

[Spymaster]

Well, initially the young shop-worker told me that without the photo ID of a passport of driving licence card i could not purchase the SIM so, had I taken that advice on face value and not contested the validity of my paper driving licence, that very much would have presented a problem to me as the consumer.

So basically, the shop assistant made a mistake, sorted it out, and sold you the SIM.

Cool story, bro

 

[SpookyFrank]

That's reasonable, no?

Not really no. Proof of ID is required for DBS checks, rightly so, but most jobs don't require DBS.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

That's the concept. I don't know if there's any effectiveness to it. AFAIA, criminals in France still use mobile phones.

I guess WhatsApp and VOIP could make eavesdropping harder.

Still the thing about tracking someone's location of course.

 

[brogdale]

So basically, the shop assistant made a mistake, sorted it out, and sold you the SIM.

Yes, the "management" on the end of the phone to the shop-worker relented because their desire for another unit to be farmed out-weighed the risk of accepting the non-photo ID.

 

[SpookyFrank]

In case anyone's interested in the general direction of travel here, and the motivations involved, Starmer is also 'considering' flogging access to your NHS records to anyone willing to pay for them.

 

[xenon]

Well, initially the young shop-worker told me that without the photo ID of a passport of driving licence card i could not purchase the SIM so, had I taken that advice on face value and not contested the validity of my paper driving licence, that very much would have presented a problem to me as the consumer.

So basically they made a mistake and it was fixed in short order... Not really getting 1984 vibes off this one TBH.

 

[brogdale]

In case anyone's interested in the general direction of travel here, and the motivations involved, Starmer is also 'considering' flogging access to your NHS records to anyone willing to pay for them.

Naturally, it's the inevitable lurch of the consolidator state's parties from mere political wings of capital into the role of active 'business partner' supplying the raw materials for neoliberal tech. The "win-win" being that any 'public' revenue raised can excuse further tax cuts for the very corporations they engage with.

 

[Spymaster]

Yes, the "management" on the end of the phone to the shop-worker relented because their desire for another unit to be farmed out-weighed the risk of accepting the non-photo ID.

Phew!

Sounds like a close shave

 

[brogdale]

Phew!

Sounds like a close shave

Indeed, they very nearly lost out on the £6pcm

 

[keybored]

Not really no. Proof of ID is required for DBS checks, rightly so, but most jobs don't require DBS.

How would an employer know if the glowing references and qualifications in front of them are really referring to the candidate who is applying? Or the bank account they are paying someone's wages into really is theirs and not someone coercing them to do the job? Or if they can legally drive that company van?

 

[weltweit]

I don't understand ..

Why would I want one?

 

[gosub]

You do understand that not everyone has a smartphone, or data, or even a signal in some places where people live, right?

94% and rising.

If councils can give people airfryers government can do a deal with Alcatel

 

[gosub]

It’s got everything to do with the hostile environment.

Think it's mostly to do with illegal migrants...Macron has been saying UK needs national ID to deal with it foe years

 

[Spymaster]

I don't understand ..

Why would I want one?

To make it easier for the government to track you and sell your data to James Bond villains.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

In case anyone's interested in the general direction of travel here, and the motivations involved, Starmer is also 'considering' flogging access to your NHS records to anyone willing to pay for them.

Without doubt, the most valuable data the government holds and big tech don't have easy access to.

In the NHS more ransomware attacks are totally a worry, but a sophisticated attacker is far more likely to make more by staying inside and exfiltrating the data.

 

[PTK]

Most people bought them on contracts back then, so not unreasonable to want to know who you're entering a credit deal with. Hardly a problem is it?

Actually, I was asked for my name and address when trying to but a pay-as-you-go phone back in 2004, which is why I would not buy one.

 

[PTK]

Actually, I was asked for my name and address when trying to but a pay-as-you-go phone back in 2004, which is why I would not buy one.

A friend bought it in their name.