A UK software developer has created a parody site to generate fake MP driver's licenses to protest the Online Safety Act's age verification requirements.
On the criminal side, It’s identity fraud, and also an offence under the Misuse of Computers Act, gaining access to a system unauthorisedly. Civilly, it’s almost certainly a violation of the ToS.
You can argue that it’s basically art/political speech. You’ve done it to draw attention to flaws in the approach and to highlight how ineffectual the current system is, and that if you actually wanted to do make fake IDs you’d take a much less high-profile approach. As such, there’s no actual criminal intent required.
Given that many online services currently asking for ID have a proven track record of massive data leaks I’d argue that demanding people upload photos of their ID is complicity in identity theft too.
I’d love to hear some informed commentary on the legality of this, if it’s legal, it’s surely an oversight in the law.
Edit : just to be clear, I’m talking about creating the ID, rather than using it.
On the criminal side, It’s identity fraud, and also an offence under the Misuse of Computers Act, gaining access to a system unauthorisedly. Civilly, it’s almost certainly a violation of the ToS.
Of course it’s not legal. This is called identity theft.
Using the ID, sure. But what about providing the service?
Depends.
You can argue that it’s basically art/political speech. You’ve done it to draw attention to flaws in the approach and to highlight how ineffectual the current system is, and that if you actually wanted to do make fake IDs you’d take a much less high-profile approach. As such, there’s no actual criminal intent required.
Don’t know if a judge would buy it though.
Civil disobedience is done with full knowledge you are breaking the law.
Especially a UK one.
Given that many online services currently asking for ID have a proven track record of massive data leaks I’d argue that demanding people upload photos of their ID is complicity in identity theft too.