Schneier on Real ID

For those concerned or otherwise interested in the REAL ID Act, which establishes uniform standards for state driver's licenses, effectively creating a national ID card, you must read Bruce Schneier's thought-provoking analysis. Highlights include:

It's a bad idea, and is going to make us all less safe. It's also very expensive. And it's all happening without any serious debate in Congress.

...A national ID is a lousy security trade-off, and everyone needs to understand why.

...The REAL ID Act requires driver's licenses to include a "common machine-readable technology." This will, of course, make identity theft easier.

...REAL ID requires that driver's licenses contain actual addresses, and no post office boxes. There are no exceptions made for judges or police -- even undercover police officers.

Technorati tag: Real ID