Letter: Protecting our private identities

Sir: Dr Law (letter, 19 October) alerts us to the fact that 'we already have an ID card' - the card containing our name, date of birth, address and NHS vice number.

This card has been created for NHS purposes and use of the NHS number is, therefore, restricted through appropriate confidentiality and data protection constraints. Whether the card should be allowed to creep into use as a de facto ID device (any more than the photo driving licence, social security swipe card, or a card bearing the National Insurance number) is surely a matter to be settled by informed public debate and Parliament, since there is no constitution to protect the privacy of UK citizens.

There are lessons to be learnt from other countries in this respect, notably Australia, Canada and Sweden. Sweden, in particular, has a nearly 50-year-old tradition of 'numbered' individuals; following recognition of the many dangerous and damaging consequences of this policy, Sweden is now actively taking steps to reduce and control, ever more stringently, the use of this number.

Yours faithfully, FREDDY KOSTEN Senior Consultant Information Protection Hoskyns Group London, EC1 21 October