Subscribe Feed (RSS)Policy on Speakeasy makes me feel queasy
June 15th, 2007 by Daithí | Filed under Cyberlaw.I do intend to do something more detailed (and thoughtful, perhaps?) on elements of the new programme for government here in Ireland, but this deserves a separate mention:
Require all mobile phones to be registered with name, address and proof of identity in order to stop drug-pushers using untraceable, unregistered phones.
1. Registration won’t stop drug-pushers communicating in an untraceable fashion.
2. Unregistered phones are far from untraceable. Duh.
3. What is the rational connection between “registration of phones” and “drug pushing”? I have a feeling that the number of unregistered users is much higher than the number of drug pushers?
4. Proof of identity? Why? I don’t need to give proof of identity when I put a letter in the postbox. I can understand the necessity when dealing with postpaid bills etc (if I’m going to sign up to a rental deal, it’s reasonable for the company to check that I am who I am) - but this would be a big leap.
Those who know me know that I take delight in slagging off the most extreme of privacy-protectors as Chicken Littles, but the simple factual presentation of this (registration and identity checks will stop the pushers), as well as its location in a section on “DRUGS” in a chapter on “Justice” is unfortunate, to say the least. Sure, make a case for mandatory registration, but for God’s sake make it under a heading like “communications” or (even) “security”. Cause, I mean, we’re all on board in the war against drugs, right?
(Speakeasy is one of the brand names used for a pre-paid, registration-optional service by a mobile phone company here)
I would go as far to say that I might consider ceasing all use of mobile phones if this becomes a reality. Although certainly phone numbers are easily identifiable give a concerted effort at geolocation or work back from friends phone books or call records, I do value the degree of anonymity and ease of use afforded by the lack of compulsory registration.
We need to watch this one; it will probably be after the summer, but if there’s some indication on when the bill is being drafted, it might be worth writing a few letters…
Yawn. The last government considered a mobile phone register before and decided it wasn’t a very good idea. I can send you the email from the DCMNR where this is explained if you want.
Antoin reproduces said email here. So the civil servants are against it. And the politicians appear to like it. Watch this space.