> They require you to identify yourself of course. That's unnecessary; all they need is to know that you have the right to collect the parcel. This can be done

> They require you to identify yourself of course. That's unnecessary; all they need is to know that you have the right to collect the parcel. This can be done with a QR code generated by the sender, potentially alongside proof of address. > I let my library account expire [...] Proof of address, again, to show that you're a local resident and thereby entitled to the service. Why does a library need to know who you are? > When I was a student, I participated in surveys [...] That's a valid use of identity, yes. However, it's unnecessary for the survey company themselves to receive your identity; a trusted intermediary could hash your id number together with a salt provided by the survey company. > the disadvantages of doing it If you carry it the whole time, persons in authority (or not in authority) will get used to being able to demand or request it, which has a corrosive effect on privacy and civil liberty.