The French have long been suspicious over identify documents that do not bear a photo of the carrier, such as older style-UK drivers' licences. They themselves are given, via a parent or legal guardian, a "Carte Vitale" at birth which has a about 15 digits, referring to gender, date of birth and numerous other identifying metrics. At some stage it has to be updated with a photo. It is used for any social purpose such as identity checks by security forces, prescription dispensing, state benefits, hospital admissions etc.
I have no "Carte" but I do have the relevant number, as I receive French pensions and documents refer to it, but in over 20 years had not been sent it. I asked for the number latterly but was told by the pensions outfit could not provide it, for reasons of confidentiality. Kafkaesque or what?
The dangers of social control are present in any identity card system but in the UK we already have driver's licence, NHS, hospital, bus pass and numerous other numbers on record, so would a national identity card now make any real difference? After all, we all had them during WWII. I always remembered my own number (totally different from the present social security ones) and was able to use this to get back into the system after a long period abroad.
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