Warnings of 'surveillance society'

ITN
Sunday, June 8, 2008

MPs are warning that the compulsory identity card could be used to spy on people.

Members of the Home Affairs Select Committee has expressed concerns about the way in which authorities could use sensitive data gathered in the multi-billion pound programme. They said this could "creep" to include spying.

The all-party committee also urged ministers to make plans on how to deal with the theft of personal details from the National Identity Scheme, which will build a massive database on every person in Britain over the age of 16.

It accepted ministers' assurances that surveillance was not part of current plans, but asked for a guarantee that no expansion would take place without MPs' approval.

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The report said: "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."

Referring to last year's child benefit disks scandal, it said: "Recent data loss incidents have involved failures not of technology but of policy in that those who had access to the information in question did not observe proper procedures for the handling and sharing of data.

"The minister's assurances that the Government has learned lessons, though welcome, are not sufficient to reassure us or, we suspect, the public."

Looking at the issue of surveillance generally, the committee called on Government to minimise the amount of information it collected and held on citizens.

"It should collect only what is essential, to be stored only for as long as is necessary," the report said.

Full article here.

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