Fergie's Tech Blog

UK: MPs Slam Government's Obsession With Collecting Personal Data

Leo King writes on Computerworld UK:

The Home Affairs Committee has urged the government to stop creating large databases on citizens without first proving they are necessary.

The call for a reduction in citizen data collection comes just weeks after the government shortlisted five IT suppliers on its ID card project and after plans were revealed that it wanted to make a database of all phone calls and emails in the UK.

Last week, IT industry commentators speaking to Computerworld UK said the government should also urgently reconsider the £12.4 billion NHS IT programme for a centralised database of patient records. And last year, HM Revenue & Customs lost 25 million child benefit records.

posted by Fergie @ 6/08/2008 09:07:00 AM