UK I.D Cards Scheme Will Threaten Our Right To Privacy
Sunday, 8. June 2008, 18:31:33
The government should limit the data it collects on citizens for its ID card scheme to avoid creating a surveillance society, a group of MPs has warned.
The home affairs select committee called for proper safeguards on the plans for compulsory ID cards to stop "function creep" threatening privacy.
It wants a guarantee the scheme will not be expanded without MPs' approval.
The Ministry of Justice said it had to balance protecting the public with protecting a right to privacy.
The Home Secretary Jacqui Smith told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show that many people welcomed the use of devices such as CCTV cameras.
"I know that when as it was then, the Labour-controlled council in my constituency, funded CCTV cameras in the town centre to help to protect people when they wanted to go out and have a night out without being blighted by anti-social behaviour, people supported it.
"So I know for example with the DNA database that tens of thousands of crimes have been solved because of the use of the DNA database."
The National Identity Scheme is due to start rolling out later this year, and will eventually hold details on everyone in Britain over the age of 16.
The select committee said in a report: "It should collect only what is essential, to be stored only for as long as is necessary.
"We are concerned... about the potential for 'function creep' in terms of the surveillance potential of the national identity scheme.
"Any ambiguity about the objectives of the scheme puts in jeopardy the public's trust in the scheme itself and in the government's ability to run it."
The committee said it accepted the government's assurance that the scheme would not be used as a surveillance tool.
However, "we seek the further assurance that any initiative to broaden the scope of the scheme will only be proposed after consulting the information commissioner and on the basis that proposals will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny in draft form," it said.
Committee chairman Keith Vaz said there could be "potentially disastrous consequences" if data was mishandled. Therefore, he said, the government should draw up a "broad outline of contingency plans" to deal with potential security breaches in the ID cards programme.
The report referred to the loss of two discs containing the personal details of 25m people last year.
"The minister's assurances that the government has learned lessons, though welcome, are not sufficient to reassure us or, we suspect, the public," it said.
The report also urged the government to set up new controls on the National DNA Database to prevent "unnecessary invasions of privacy".
It said the system should be changed to make it easier for people whose DNA is on the system to challenge its retention.
Mr Vaz said: "What we are calling for is an overall principle of 'least data, for least time'.
Information Commissioner Richard Thomas said he welcomed the report.
"It is essential that positive action is taken to ensure the potential risks of a surveillance society never manifest themselves in this country," Mr Thomas said.
"Every possible step must be taken to ensure public trust in the way that personal information is collected and stored."
The report also called for a public consultation on the powers of public bodies, such as councils, to use surveillance powers.
In April, there was widespread criticism when it emerged that Poole Borough Council had carried out surveillance on a family accused of cheating the school catchment system.
The chairman of the Local Government Association, Sir Simon Milton, said he understood there were concerns over the use of surveillance.
"We are working with the government, police chiefs and the surveillance commissioners to clarify some of the details of the legislation and make sure it is clear when and how surveillance should be used," Sir Simon said.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "The government takes the protection of personal data extremely seriously and is committed to ensuring that information is shared in a safe and secure way.
"It is necessary to find a balance between protecting the public and protecting a right to privacy.
"Data sharing is not only essential to delivering public service but also has an important role to play in tackling potential criminal activities."
The government said it would respond fully to the report in due course.
The home affairs select committee called for proper safeguards on the plans for compulsory ID cards to stop "function creep" threatening privacy.
It wants a guarantee the scheme will not be expanded without MPs' approval.
The Ministry of Justice said it had to balance protecting the public with protecting a right to privacy.
The Home Secretary Jacqui Smith told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show that many people welcomed the use of devices such as CCTV cameras.
"I know that when as it was then, the Labour-controlled council in my constituency, funded CCTV cameras in the town centre to help to protect people when they wanted to go out and have a night out without being blighted by anti-social behaviour, people supported it.
"So I know for example with the DNA database that tens of thousands of crimes have been solved because of the use of the DNA database."
The National Identity Scheme is due to start rolling out later this year, and will eventually hold details on everyone in Britain over the age of 16.
The select committee said in a report: "It should collect only what is essential, to be stored only for as long as is necessary.
"We are concerned... about the potential for 'function creep' in terms of the surveillance potential of the national identity scheme.
"Any ambiguity about the objectives of the scheme puts in jeopardy the public's trust in the scheme itself and in the government's ability to run it."
The committee said it accepted the government's assurance that the scheme would not be used as a surveillance tool.
However, "we seek the further assurance that any initiative to broaden the scope of the scheme will only be proposed after consulting the information commissioner and on the basis that proposals will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny in draft form," it said.
Committee chairman Keith Vaz said there could be "potentially disastrous consequences" if data was mishandled. Therefore, he said, the government should draw up a "broad outline of contingency plans" to deal with potential security breaches in the ID cards programme.
The report referred to the loss of two discs containing the personal details of 25m people last year.
"The minister's assurances that the government has learned lessons, though welcome, are not sufficient to reassure us or, we suspect, the public," it said.
The report also urged the government to set up new controls on the National DNA Database to prevent "unnecessary invasions of privacy".
It said the system should be changed to make it easier for people whose DNA is on the system to challenge its retention.
Mr Vaz said: "What we are calling for is an overall principle of 'least data, for least time'.
Information Commissioner Richard Thomas said he welcomed the report.
"It is essential that positive action is taken to ensure the potential risks of a surveillance society never manifest themselves in this country," Mr Thomas said.
"Every possible step must be taken to ensure public trust in the way that personal information is collected and stored."
The report also called for a public consultation on the powers of public bodies, such as councils, to use surveillance powers.
In April, there was widespread criticism when it emerged that Poole Borough Council had carried out surveillance on a family accused of cheating the school catchment system.
The chairman of the Local Government Association, Sir Simon Milton, said he understood there were concerns over the use of surveillance.
"We are working with the government, police chiefs and the surveillance commissioners to clarify some of the details of the legislation and make sure it is clear when and how surveillance should be used," Sir Simon said.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "The government takes the protection of personal data extremely seriously and is committed to ensuring that information is shared in a safe and secure way.
"It is necessary to find a balance between protecting the public and protecting a right to privacy.
"Data sharing is not only essential to delivering public service but also has an important role to play in tackling potential criminal activities."
The government said it would respond fully to the report in due course.
WIDGETIZE
Cat # 8. June 2008, 22:58
Having said that, i will not continue to live in a country that needs these measures to police its constituants and I will not start to carry identification with me daily
Claudette # 27. December 2008, 07:34
Claudette # 21. August 2009, 09:46