The ID Divide

The Center for American Progress has released The ID Divide: Addressing the Challenges of Identification and Authentication in American Society (pdf) which explores the background of the issue of identification and authentication in American society, including the sharp rise in recent years in how often Americans are asked for proof of identity. The report then examines the facts of the ID Divide in detail, identifying at least four important types of problems:

• A large population affected by identity theft and data breaches
• The growing effects of watch lists
• Specific groups that disproportionately lack IDs today
• The effects of new and stricter ID and matching requirements

[RJ]