We now have proof that all the government’s waffle about our identities being safe and secure in their care is a load of cr@p.
Computer Weekly has revealed that staff at THIRTY local authorities have been responsible for “serious security breaches” in the government database that will form the core of the national ID cards programme. [...]
An interesting development from Lebanon where the Government has ruled that citizens can remove their religion from their identity cards.
One of the arguments against ID cards is the possibility of discrimination. For proof, you need look no further than Lebanon, where ID cards were the equivalent of death warrants. According to the BBC News article:
During [...]
The assessments of the controversial ContactPoint database at the “early adopter” local authorities will remain secret, it has been revealed.
In a written Parliamentary answer, the children’s minister Beverley Hughes said ContactPoint assessments are internal documents and not intended for publication.
“The monthly assessments are undertaken by local authorities and are project documents internal to the local [...]
Regular visitors to the Barcode Nation will know I am a big fan of Henry Porter’s Blog on the Guardian’s Comment Is Free. In his latest post, Henry brings us the story of the struggles faced by a UK born barrister married to a Sierra Leone born UN worker, in trying to move in and [...]
Civil Liberties campaign group Liberty celebrates its 75th birthday today.
A press release on their website contains some interesting quotes, a few of which are reproduced here:
“The work of Liberty is now even more important than it was when it was founded 75 years ago. The threats to our freedom come increasingly from state authoritarianism which [...]
David Blunkett MP, the man who introduced the idea of ID cards during the Blair years has emerged as its latest opponent. Perhaps opponent is too strong a term, as the former Home Secretary does support the idea of cards for foreign nationals. But, when speaking at Essex University this week, he is expected to [...]
A report to be published next month by Human Rights Watch is expected to allege that British agents colluded with their Pakistani counterparts in the torture of suspects.
According to the Guardian, at least 10 Britons are identified who have been allegedly tortured in Pakistan and subsequently questioned by UK intelligence officials. It warns that more British cases may [...]
Politics.co.uk reports on the 50th anniversary of ID cards being abolished in Britain. It’s worth a read, but if you don’t have time, check out the summary:
What does the story of Britain’s first relationship with ID cards tell us? There are two important lessons. Firstly, the view that police will begin to routinely use powers [...]
Persistence pays off! After battling for four years against a Freedom of Information request, ministers have been ordered to publish two reviews into the ID card scheme.
The Information Tribunal has ordered the reviews to be published within 28 days.
The independent “gateway” reviews from 2003 and 2004 will give an insight into the creation of the draft [...]
Is it me or is the civil liberties campaign building some real momentum?
Hot on the heels of the Scottish parliament and the body representing pilots, comes criticism from none other than Dame Stella Rimington, the former head of MI5. We now have the former figurehead of the security services telling the Government they have gone [...]
