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I've just had a really interesting chat with |Theory (http://www.theos.me.uk/blog) on the subject.

[|Theory] the_angry_angel: I'm just glad face recoginition still sucks
[the_angry_angel] |Theory, does it? Thats what really worries me
[|Theory] by all accounts, it does
[|Theory] and face recoginition is a *really* hard problem
[|Theory] as in, people can't do it.
[the_angry_angel] As I understand it, the problems were to do with processing power requirements, last time I checked
[the_angry_angel] It was possible to do, but it would take a farm a few hours to do
[|Theory] the_angry_angel: does your source mention level of accuracy offered? :-)
[the_angry_angel] With regards to the constant video central repo?
[|Theory] I'm thinking face recognition
[Heartless] nice W_ork
[the_angry_angel] ah, unfortunately I have not
[the_angry_angel] ffs
[the_angry_angel] s/I have//
[|Theory] I am willing to believe that if you have standardised lighing conditions, ask people to look straight at camera, remove hats, glasses etc
[|Theory] and have a repository of similarly standardised photos it may just be a matter of processing power
[|Theory] but that's not what surveillance cameras offer :-)
[the_angry_angel] This is where my argument and source falls down. I know very little about the requirements of facial recognition, and I will admit you're probably right
[the_angry_angel] But given the way technology moves, and the whole ID card thing as well, I just worry
* the_angry_angel is a bit of a conspiracy nut at times
[|Theory] I'm less worried about ID cards than I was
[the_angry_angel] Apathy, or have you learnt something new?
[|Theory] the various leaks from top civil servants that is simply isn't going to work/be ready/happen
[the_angry_angel] That makes me worry even more
[the_angry_angel] It means shortcuts, to make it happen
[the_angry_angel] Unless they're stalling until Blair goes
[the_angry_angel] "The whole point about the reason why I think it is important we go for identity cards and an identity database today is that identity fraud and abuse is a major, major problem. Now the civil liberties aspect of it, look it is a view, I don't personally think it matters very much."
[|Theory] who are you quoting?
[the_angry_angel] Blair
[the_angry_angel] Makes me wonder if we should attach a camera to him for a week and see how long it takes for him to change that opinion
[|Theory] come office estimates are 1.7bil for identity fraud a year
[|Theory] *home
[|Theory] the_angry_angel: he has lots fixed on him permenantly remember
[|Theory] this is somewhat less than the cost of ID cards, even if they were to solve the problem 100%, which of course they won't
[the_angry_angel] |Theory, clearly not enough. Or perhaps he's just another member of the willing Big Brother participants
[|Theory] (1/3 of that is credit card fraud, which identity cards won't impact)
[the_angry_angel] :( Exactly
[the_angry_angel] I believe it's even been shown in Spain (?) that the effect has been negliable =/
[|Theory] and 25% is money laundering, which even they admit isn't really identity related
[|Theory] so erm, yeah
[the_angry_angel] Politicians aren't there to make sense, just make the law ;)
[|Theory] heh
[|Theory] and ovters aren't there to think, just to support them? :-)
[the_angry_angel] If only that was the case, unfortunately most just don't care