GCHQ mobile phone passport ID plan
The Government intends to demand ID from anyone wanting to buy a mobile phone in order to close a loophole in GCHQ’s plans for a crime-busting mobile phone register, the Sunday Times reported today.
The “eavesdropping centre” in Cheltenham came under fire recently when it was revealed that they wanted to compile a register of all 72 million mobile phone owners in the country.
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GCHQ in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
But sources inside the government are saying that Britain’s estimated 40million pay-as-you-go phones pose a loophole which must be filled.
Pay as you go phones are often associated with criminals who buy them with cash, favoring the anonymity the non-registered phones give them.
However, the more flexible pay as you go method is also championed by many law-abiding people, who don’t like the hassle of registering and paying by direct debit.
To get around the obvious flaw in plans for the database, the government is considering making it compulsory to demand photo identification such as a passport or driving licence when anyone buys a pre-paid mobile phone.
It is believed that the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith will announce the move next year.
41 Comments
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by persecuted, under the stairs
Wednesday, October 22 2008, 10:18PM
“All your emails have been logged by GCHQ, you wiil all be shortly visited by the thought police, or is that the stasi.”
by censored, anon
Tuesday, October 21 2008, 10:46PM
“No comment as you delete anything controversial wich makes it a waste of time how are you going to promote debate with that attitude”
by Chris Dowdeswell, Gloucester
Tuesday, October 21 2008, 10:32AM
“For those who subscribe to the "if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear" mentality shame on you. What about the right to privacy? These are fundamental freedoms which our ancestors fought and died for. Would you have government CCTV installed in your house then?
"Those who would trade in their freedom for their protection deserve neither." - Benjamin Franklin.
Chris”
by Matt, Gloucester
Monday, October 20 2008, 8:51PM
“Ok it's 1 thing doing all this to catch criminals etc.... but whats the point if they only get a telling off or a 3 month sentance in a luxury hotel sorry meant prison !!
We need a system with tough punishment to prevent a lot of the crime that is happening in the first place not all this nonsense to catch more criminals who dont get a suitable punishent !!”
by Tom Stickland, Stroud
Monday, October 20 2008, 6:28PM
“Those whom this is targeted at will create a massive market in stolen sim cards.”