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UK ID CARD APPROVAL CLAIM OPEN TO DISPUTE SAYS TELECONOMY
CHAIRMAN
Government use of approval ratings "naive"
Lancaster - 1st July 2002 ñ Adding to
the current debate on the possible introduction of
national ID Cards, Michael Hulme, the chairman of
Teleconomy Group Plc, a leading research firm, suggested
that public approval for their introduction is not
as high as is suggested.
Based on recent research by the Group, Teleconomy
believes that figures quoted yesterday and today by
government sources are open to dispute. The firm believes
that key issues to acceptance of National ID cards
go well beyond the simple 'high level' acceptance
of the concept. However even at this level the firm
believes there may be cause for concern.
ìThe oft quoted 86% favourable reaction to a National
ID card was researched immediately following September
11th when concerns regarding national security were
very much at the fore. By March 2002 this favourable
reaction had dropped to 66%î said Mr Hulme, ìAs such
the government should not rely on these figures which
would be naiveî.
The concept is further challenged by
negative reactions towards combining card functionality
(the notion of one card to 'access' many services)
with its attendant concerns regarding liberties and
security. When added to a tendency for
'anti' sentiment to escalate as the public debate
develops and becomes more detailed, Teleconomy believes
the Government could find the practical acceptance
and use of ID cards a very problematic argument
to confront.
Teleconomy research demonstrates that consumer acceptance
of smart cards and the trade off in revealing personal
information, rises and falls directly in line with
the type of utility benefit delivered.
Editors
For further information please contact enquiry@teleconomy.com
Teleconomy Group Plc
Research House
Caton Road
Lancaster
LA1 3PE
Tel: 01524 382000
Teleconomy seek to understand and comment on
organisational and consumer behaviours. Central
to our approach is the understanding of evolving
behaviours to inform future-oriented forecasting.
Teleconomy employ a multi-disciplinary approach
to our research, interpretations and consultancy.
This approach combines insights and theory from
academic fields including sociology, anthropology,
psychology, management science, business research,
literary theory and philosophy with empirical
data collection/studies and practical understandings
of the commercial issues and challenges facing
organisations.
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