Threat to privacy under data law, campaigners warn.

Antaletriangle · 01-26-2009, 01:18 PM

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...ners-warn.html

Personal information about individuals' lives could be handed over without their consent to public bodies and private firms under a new law, campaigners have warned.

By Duncan Gardham, Security Correspondent
Last Updated: 7:50PM GMT 25 Jan 2009

Data held by the police, the NHS, schools, the Inland Revenue, local councils and the DVLA could all end up in private hands, according to Privacy International.

At the same time, information gathered by companies including hotel registrations, bank details and telecommunications data could be transferred to the Government as part of the provisions of the Coroner's and Justice Bill, it is claimed.

The campaign group admits the "mass exchange of personal information has the potential to deliver some benefit".

But it says it also represents "vast risks" associated with "privacy, security and human autonomy."

Privacy International also warns that there will be no protection from such mass transfers of data, which would only require ministerial approval under the new law.

A report on privacy "Black Zones" warns that the bill, which receives its second reading, would destroy civil liberties and the purpose of the Data Protection Act.

Privacy International says the proposals were hidden in a clause of the bill and there was an "urgent need to consider the extraordinary dangers created by the proposal."

Its report states: "Previously people's consent was required, but now the consent of the governed is no longer being sought.

"In fact, the Government's proposal eradicates consent from the governing framework, thus placing not only our data at risk but also fundamental tenets of our democracy."

The report said Privacy International says the new law would allow a National Identity Register by the back door.

It claims it will lead to the bulk transfer of NHS medical files to the insurance industry; the disclosure of police intelligence data to private investigators and investigation departments of companies; and the transfer of personal financial data to HM Revenue and Customs.

At the same time, it could result in the disclosure of all vehicle insurance data from insurance companies to DVLA; the sharing of client and customer lists between companies and the Government; the sharing of data between council tax records and national databases; and the disclosure of individual school and university academic records to funding authorities.

The proposals would "substantially increase the risk of security breaches of personal information" by the Government, which has been caught in a series of scandals over the loss of personal data, the report says.

Privacy International say the bill contains "meaningless protections and oversight" and cite a passage which reads: "Before an order is made a general invitation must be given to all those who might be affected by the order to make representations and the Information Commissioner must be given a copy of the order and may submit a report in relation to it (which must be laid before Parliament), but he has no power to amend the order.

"The order must be approved by Parliament, but Parliament has no power to amend the order."

Liberty, the civil rights group, has echoed the views expressed in the report.

However ministers insist the Bill is intended to "modernise" the way that information is collected and transferred between departments to allow more "joined-up government."

01-26-2009, 01:18 PM	#1
Antaletriangle Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.K. Posts: 3,380	Threat to privacy under data law, campaigners warn. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...ners-warn.html Personal information about individuals' lives could be handed over without their consent to public bodies and private firms under a new law, campaigners have warned. By Duncan Gardham, Security Correspondent Last Updated: 7:50PM GMT 25 Jan 2009 Data held by the police, the NHS, schools, the Inland Revenue, local councils and the DVLA could all end up in private hands, according to Privacy International. At the same time, information gathered by companies including hotel registrations, bank details and telecommunications data could be transferred to the Government as part of the provisions of the Coroner's and Justice Bill, it is claimed. The campaign group admits the "mass exchange of personal information has the potential to deliver some benefit". But it says it also represents "vast risks" associated with "privacy, security and human autonomy." Privacy International also warns that there will be no protection from such mass transfers of data, which would only require ministerial approval under the new law. A report on privacy "Black Zones" warns that the bill, which receives its second reading, would destroy civil liberties and the purpose of the Data Protection Act. Privacy International says the proposals were hidden in a clause of the bill and there was an "urgent need to consider the extraordinary dangers created by the proposal." Its report states: "Previously people's consent was required, but now the consent of the governed is no longer being sought. "In fact, the Government's proposal eradicates consent from the governing framework, thus placing not only our data at risk but also fundamental tenets of our democracy." The report said Privacy International says the new law would allow a National Identity Register by the back door. It claims it will lead to the bulk transfer of NHS medical files to the insurance industry; the disclosure of police intelligence data to private investigators and investigation departments of companies; and the transfer of personal financial data to HM Revenue and Customs. At the same time, it could result in the disclosure of all vehicle insurance data from insurance companies to DVLA; the sharing of client and customer lists between companies and the Government; the sharing of data between council tax records and national databases; and the disclosure of individual school and university academic records to funding authorities. The proposals would "substantially increase the risk of security breaches of personal information" by the Government, which has been caught in a series of scandals over the loss of personal data, the report says. Privacy International say the bill contains "meaningless protections and oversight" and cite a passage which reads: "Before an order is made a general invitation must be given to all those who might be affected by the order to make representations and the Information Commissioner must be given a copy of the order and may submit a report in relation to it (which must be laid before Parliament), but he has no power to amend the order. "The order must be approved by Parliament, but Parliament has no power to amend the order." Liberty, the civil rights group, has echoed the views expressed in the report. However ministers insist the Bill is intended to "modernise" the way that information is collected and transferred between departments to allow more "joined-up government."