U2-p.15
A Do You Get It?
Multiple Matching
Scan each of the five paragraphs (a-e) again. Below are a series of newspaper headlines that refer to ideas or information contained in each paragraph. Match the headline to the paragraph.
U2-p.14
These objections notwithstanding, the government argued that the NIR and ID cards would be beneficial to society. They would help prevent terrorist attacks, such as the London suicide bombings of July 7, 2005, which killed 56 people, and would assist in tackling illegal immigration and identity fraud. Even though some security experts agreed with these views, many others rebutted them. It was pointed out that the four 7/7 bombers were actually all British citizens. Since the police appear to have known the identity of at least one of them, the assertion that the NIR system could have stopped them seems weak. In the case of illegal immigration, critics observed that ID cards would make no difference because a passport and visa system is already in place. If the current system isn’t working, why should an extra layer of bureaucracy make any difference? Finally, statistics show that identity theft is actually easier and more prevalent in countries with ID cards.
• Do citizens have to carry identification in your country? If yes, why? If no, what will happen?
• Is identity theft or the misuse of personal data a concern? Have you ever experienced or heard any stories related to it? What are they?
• Are there fears over government misuse of personal information? If yes, where are the fears from?
U2-p.13
Reading Track 4
A Database State
It’s an uncomfortable fact, but every country watches the movements of its citizens. There are varying degrees of surveillance. However, you might be surprised to learn that the U.K. has been described as one of the most surveyed countries in the world. The main reason for this is that it has more closecircuit television (CCTV) cameras in use than any other democratic country. Despite statistics suggesting that over 90 percent of these cameras are in private hands, people remain concerned about official snooping. The government insists the cameras are there to prevent crime and to keep people safe; yet statistics show that a tiny percentage of criminal cases are solved using CCTV evidence. In spite of this, the authorities continue to champion the use of public surveillance. It seems the Big Brother society foretold by the British author George Orwell in his famous novel 1984 has come to pass; indeed, for many people, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
U2-p.15
The naysayers eventually won the day. In 2010, the NIR system was abandoned; the ID cards were scrapped the following year. Regardless of this climbdown, manyБайду номын сангаасBritish citizens remain convinced that the government continues to poke its nose into the private affairs of its citizens.
2
Under Watchful Eyes
Reading: A Database State Words to Know: Privacy; key word: watch Further Reading: Hack Attack, How You Might Be a Target?
Before You Start
__e___ 1. Victory for the people as government ends Big Brother laws __c___ 2. NIR data to include eye scans __a___ 3. Author’s vision of the future was accurate __d___ 4. Prime Minister says measures will prevent terror __d___ 5. Critics say ID cards just more paperwork __a___ 6. Figures show most cameras do not belong to government __e___ 7. Victory for database opponents __b___ 8. ID bill passed
U2-p.14
In fact, the system would amount to a gigantic “meta-database” – in other words a network of interlocking databases. A total of 50 categories of information would be kept on any individual including biometric information – fingerprints, and digitized facial and iris scans – and a list of all current and past places of residence. Consequently, opponents protested that this was a violation of people’s human rights insofar as it allowed government agencies – and even private organizations – to share personal data on an unprecedented scale with no accountability. Furthermore, in certain circumstances, people would be forced to submit their personal data to the NIR against their will. In order to get a new passport, for example, applicants would have no choice but to register or else face having their application rejected. Other concerns include discrimination against minorities and foreign residents – some of whom would be obligated to carry ID cards – and the possibility of becoming a “non-person” if the data was somehow lost.