Information Commissioner slams ID cards
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) outlined its concerns regarding the proposed national identity card scheme, including the establishment of a national register of citizens’ personal details.
The ICO’s concerns are published in its submission to the Home Office’s consultation on identity cards, which coincides with the publication of the Home Affairs Select Committee report.
Richard Thomas, Information Commissioner said:
“The Home Affairs Select Committee shares many of the concerns I have expressed about the Government’s proposals. It recognises that the current proposals are far wider than necessary to implement a simple identity scheme and that there are many problems that need addressing before any scheme could proceed.
“I want to make it very clear to the public that this draft Bill is not just about an ID card, but an extensive national identity register and the creation of a national identity registration number.
Each of these raise substantial data protection and personal privacy concerns in their own right. The introduction of a national identity register will lead to the creation of the most detailed population register in the UK.
“The lack of a clearly defined purpose for ID cards, including the continuing changes in focus causes concern. Further clarification is also needed regarding the nature and extent of the personal information which will be collected and retained, plus the reasons why such a large amount of information needs to be recorded as part of establishing an individual’s identity.
“I also have concerns in relation to the wide range of bodies who can view the record of what services individuals have used. This will enable the Government and others to build up a comprehensive picture of how we live our lives. However, individuals will not know which bodies have been accessing their personal information because the draft bill removes the right to see their own information. I have asked the Government to reinstate this fundamental data protection right.”
Other areas the ICO has asked to be addressed include:
· Uncertainties and risks relating to administrative and technical arrangements
· The need for stronger independent oversight
· The absence of a “voluntary” option for driving licence and passport holders - those individuals who renew or apply for a driving licence or passport will have their information automatically added to the National Identity Register, thereby losing the option of not registering
· The extent to which secondary legislation can be used to extend the scheme, thus fuelling anxieties about “function creep”
· Further clarity is also needed regarding the amount of information that will be recorded on ID cards so as to determine what information is visible on the card and what is available on the chip. It is also important to establish strong security so as to restrict unauthorised access to this
information
Richard Thomas concluded:
“Whilst I am not fundamentally opposed to the introduction of ID cards I do have significant concerns about the current proposals. The privacy implications of an extensive national identity register are, in many ways, of far greater concern for individuals. This aspect needs more of a public debate.
“I remain committed to working with the Home Office to ensure that if the Government continues with proposals for an ID card scheme and identity register the necessary safeguards are put in place to ensure people’s privacy is protected.”
http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/eventual.aspx?id=446
The ICO’s concerns are published in its submission to the Home Office’s consultation on identity cards, which coincides with the publication of the Home Affairs Select Committee report.
Richard Thomas, Information Commissioner said:
“The Home Affairs Select Committee shares many of the concerns I have expressed about the Government’s proposals. It recognises that the current proposals are far wider than necessary to implement a simple identity scheme and that there are many problems that need addressing before any scheme could proceed.
“I want to make it very clear to the public that this draft Bill is not just about an ID card, but an extensive national identity register and the creation of a national identity registration number.
Each of these raise substantial data protection and personal privacy concerns in their own right. The introduction of a national identity register will lead to the creation of the most detailed population register in the UK.
“The lack of a clearly defined purpose for ID cards, including the continuing changes in focus causes concern. Further clarification is also needed regarding the nature and extent of the personal information which will be collected and retained, plus the reasons why such a large amount of information needs to be recorded as part of establishing an individual’s identity.
“I also have concerns in relation to the wide range of bodies who can view the record of what services individuals have used. This will enable the Government and others to build up a comprehensive picture of how we live our lives. However, individuals will not know which bodies have been accessing their personal information because the draft bill removes the right to see their own information. I have asked the Government to reinstate this fundamental data protection right.”
Other areas the ICO has asked to be addressed include:
· Uncertainties and risks relating to administrative and technical arrangements
· The need for stronger independent oversight
· The absence of a “voluntary” option for driving licence and passport holders - those individuals who renew or apply for a driving licence or passport will have their information automatically added to the National Identity Register, thereby losing the option of not registering
· The extent to which secondary legislation can be used to extend the scheme, thus fuelling anxieties about “function creep”
· Further clarity is also needed regarding the amount of information that will be recorded on ID cards so as to determine what information is visible on the card and what is available on the chip. It is also important to establish strong security so as to restrict unauthorised access to this
information
Richard Thomas concluded:
“Whilst I am not fundamentally opposed to the introduction of ID cards I do have significant concerns about the current proposals. The privacy implications of an extensive national identity register are, in many ways, of far greater concern for individuals. This aspect needs more of a public debate.
“I remain committed to working with the Home Office to ensure that if the Government continues with proposals for an ID card scheme and identity register the necessary safeguards are put in place to ensure people’s privacy is protected.”
http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/eventual.aspx?id=446
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