The United Kingdom Identity Cards Act 2006 - Proving Identity?
Clare Sullivan · SSRN Electronic Journal · 2006
Against a background of increasing incidence of identity theft and fraud, review of the 100 Points of Proof of Identity under the Financial Transaction Reports Act 1988 (Cth) and calls for a national identity card for Australians, the United Kingdom Identity Cards Act is interesting and instructive legislation. The British government wants the new national identity scheme to become the ‘gold standard’ of identity, to be used by both government and businesses in that country. The approach adopted by the Act in relation to proof of identity has some salutary lessons for jurisdictions, including Australia which are considering a national identity card. This article examines the key provisions of the United Kingdom legislation, the concept of identity established by the Act and explores whether the scheme really provides reliable proof of identity.