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www.no2id.net/news/newsletters/newsletter.php?issue=110

++ NO2ID Supporters’ Newsletter No. 110 – 6th November 2008 ++

*Contacting us:* Call or email the office – 020-7793-4005 or
(office@no2id.net).

++ JOIN NO2ID – AND WE’LL GET MATCHED FUNDING ++

Since 1st September the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust Ltd has generously been matching, pound for pound, any *new* income that NO2ID receives. For every pound given from 1st September NO2ID has received TWO pounds to spend campaigning against the ID scheme and database state. Many thanks to everyone who has already responded to our matched funding appeal.

For those that have not already donated or joined NO2ID, the good news is that the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust offer is still open. Join NO2ID today and we’ll get double your joining fee to help us fight the database state. Better still join NO2ID and encourage someone else to join too, that way we’ll get double the double funding. Word of mouth is one of the best ways for us to expand – and talking about the issues relating to the ID scheme and the database state is a great way of informing people and getting our message across. Almost all our funding comes from membership fees and donations from individual supporters – we are hardly likely to get a government grant even if we wanted it, and we stay independent of any political patronage of any kind.

Individual membership of NO2ID starts at £15 a year[1] but if you can give more, please do – every pound spent is an investment in your and your family’s freedoms. You can download a membership form from our website: www.no2id.net/downloads/membForm.pdf

Double your money offers like this don’t come along very often so please, dig deep – encourage your friends, family and colleagues to make a donation. With your help we can stop this.
—
Notes:

[1] For more details of how to join NO2ID see
www.no2id.net/getInvolved/join
------------------------------------------------------------------------

++ What just happened? ++

+ Edinburgh NO2ID boost matched funding appeal +

Thanks to Edinburgh NO2ID for their collective contribution of £100 towards the JRRT Ltd matched-funding.

+ The Home Secretary at the Joint Committee on Human Rights +

Last Tuesday (28th October) the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith gave evidence to the Joint Committee on Human Rights. Asked about Sir Ken Macdonald’s warning of the dangers of the surveillance state (see newsletter 109) Smith skirted around the issue and said: “It is rather difficult for me to comment on what Ken Macdonald meant by the speech that he gave; he did not clear it with me and he did not discuss it with me before he gave it”. On the forthcoming communications data bill Smith struggled with both the English language and what communication data is when she said: “if we face a situation as a government where both technology and our use of technology means that some of the most important capability that law enforcement uses at the moment is likely to be eroded, then we have to consider what is the most appropriate way to deal with that technologically (number one) and what are the appropriate legal safeguards to put around the way in which we deal with that in the future to safeguard that capability”. Smith promised to expand on this in a consultation paper that she will publish in the New Year – let’s hope she gets someone else to help her write it.
Read the transcript at:
www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt200708/jtselect/jtrights/uc1142-i/uc114202.htm
Watch the session at:
www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/VideoPlayer.aspx?meetingId=2646

+ You can’t protect it. So don’t collect it +

Following yet another data loss the Prime Minister has admitted that the government cannot promise to keep people’s personal information safe. Key government computer systems were shut down after a memory stick was found in a pub car park containing passwords to the online Government Gateway system. Gordon Brown, speaking whilst on a trip to the Gulf, said :”It is important to recognise we cannot promise that every single item of information will always be safe because mistakes are made by human beings”. The only cure to the problem of data loss is for the government to stop collecting so much personal data. You can’t protect it. So don’t collect it.

+ Mole Valley Council Passes Anti-ID Motion +

On Thursday 30th October Mole Valley Council unanimously passed a motion against the National ID Scheme. The motion said that “the scheme will impose wholly disproportionate costs on this Council and other public bodies which will include both implementation and operational costs and that this will have a damaging effect on all residents of Mole Valley”. The council resolved to not participate in the ID scheme unless required to do so by law. Speaking in the debate Councillor Paul Elderton warned that the ID scheme will erode trust: “It will break down the bond between the nurse and the person being treated, between the teacher and the child in the class – it’s the ‘who are you’ question and basically as a country we have never asked that ‘who are you’ question, we have always accepted foreigners, we’ve accepted people into our communities, because we believe that they will eventually want to stay with us and become part of our community”.

+ Proof that writing letters to periodicals works +

The recent letters pages in the mass-market ComputerActive magazine– which has a circulation of more than 200,000 (roughly the same as that of The Independent) – carried a “star letter” from NO2ID supporter Peter Salter in the 16th-29th Oct edition attacking the ID scheme. What’s more, he has been followed by *three* more anti ID letters in the most recent edition plus another “star letter” expressing skepticism of universal communications surveillance. This issue is relevant to every and any one- whatever publication you read should print your letter, so get writing.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

++ What’s next? ++

*+ Would You Like to Volunteer? +*
NO2ID relies heavily upon the continued generosity of its supporters. One way you can help is by volunteering to assist in the NO2ID office (in London). We are always on the lookout for people with enthusiasm and a little spare time to help us assemble newsletters, member and information packs, and execute basic data entry tasks. The amount of time you put in is up to you – it can be as little as an hour or two per month, but is nevertheless invaluable to us. If you are interested in joining our team please email Stephanie Munro at administrator@no2id.net.

*+ New consultation on Connecting for Health and secondary uses of patient data +*
“NHS Connecting for Health are gathering people’s views to help them make important decisions about the ways the NHS can use information it collects about patients. Such patient data is mainly used to provide care and treatment but can also have additional uses such as research, auditing the quality and safety of care, management planning, etc. This consultation is focusing on additional uses.” Responses should be sent to Chrissy Brand (FREEPOST RRXB-TTRR-HJGB, Tribal Consulting, Palatine Road, Manchester, M22 4DB) by 10th December. See
www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/systemsandservices/research/consultation

+ LOCAL GROUPS NEWS +

The size, influence and activity of NO2ID’s local group network is unique amongst single-issue campaigning and is growing all the time. Groups raise awareness of the work of NO2ID, inform their local politicians and journalists about the depth of the ID scheme and provide us with our now main method of attracting new members and supporters. Their work is vital and effective and enables us to maintain a relatively high local media presence that many campaigning groups envy.
To see if there’s a group in your area check our list at www.no2id.net/localGroups/
Or, if you’re interested in starting a group yourself, please contact Matty on local.groups@no2id.net to discuss what’s involved and what we have in place to support coordinators and their groups.

_*+ Brighton and Hove +*_

*+ 25th November – Demonstration against first ID cards +*
Tuesday, 25th November – meet on New Road at 12:20. Visual demonstration to raise awareness that this is the day the first ID cards will be issued! We will be doing two short stunts, at 12:30 and 13:00. We need as many people as possible to stand in a queue, were you will eventually be either ‘authorised’ or not.

*+ 25th November – Brighton and Hove NO2ID Meeting +*
Tuesday, 25th November 7.30pm at the Brighton Peace and Environment Centre, opposite the train station.We will also be going to the Battle of Trafalgar afterwards if meetings aren’t your thing.

_*+ Bristol +*_

*+ 1st December – Screening of Taking Liberties +*
Showing of “Taking Liberties” at The Cube, Monday, 1st December. 8pm
£4/£3, introduced by Dave Gould of Bristol NO2ID.

_*+ Cambridge +*_

*+ 22nd November – NO2ID Cambridge Stall +*
Saturday, 22nd November at 10am in the usual spot outside Cambridge Guildhall. Location Map: tinyurl.com/eo42r As ever, volunteers to help very welcome – please email cambridge@no2id.net, or text/call
Andrew on 07710 469624 if you can make it.

*+ 3rd December – Cambridge NO2ID pub meeting (1st Wednesday of each month) +*
Wednesday, 3rd December, 7.30pm at the Salisbury Arms, 76 Tenison Rd, Cambridge CB1 2DW (maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=cb1+2dw). For more details contact cambridge@no2id.net, or text/call Andrew on 07710 469624.

_*+ Coventry +
*_*
+ 26th November – Coventry NO2ID group re-launch meeting (every third Wednesday of the month thereafter) +*
Wednesday, 26th November from 6.30pm at The Rocket, 103 Warwick Road, Coventry, CV3 6AN. As one of the areas best-served with NO2ID members the group has decided to form a new structure allowing maximum action with minimum waffle. Everyone is welcome, newcomer or not, curious or committed. Please bring a friend. Further details: Claire Boylan on coventry@no2id.net

If you’re unable to attend, but are interested in the activity of the group, please join the Coventry mailing list on:
lists.no2id.org/mailman/listinfo/no2id.coventry

_*+ Daventry +
*_
*+ 19th November – Daventry NO2ID 1st Meeting (2nd Wednesday of month) +*
Wednesday, 19th November from 8pm (and every second Wednesday of the month thereafter) at The Saracen’s Head, 1 Brook Street, Daventry, NN11 5HN. Everyone is welcome, newcomer or not, curious or committed. Please bring a friend. For further details contact Kate Megeary on (daventry@no2id.net). If you’re unable to attend but are interested in the activity of the group, please join the Daventry mailing list on:
lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.daventry (pending).

_*+ Edinburgh +*_
***
****+ 26th November – Edinburgh NO2ID Meeting +*
Wednesday, 26th November 7.45pm in the Meeting Room, Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2JL. At last we have found a Labour MSP (Lord George Foulkes) willing to come and talk about ID cards, surveillance and personal privacy. This is a public meeting – all welcome.
***
Saturdays 1pm – 3pm – NO2ID Edinburgh street stall*
Every week, weather permitting, you will find our campaigning stall at the east end of Princes Street, opposite the Balmoral Hotel. Do drop by for a chat. New volunteers – please contact John (edinburgh@no2id.net), and for more group information see www.no2id-scotland.net/edinburgh/

_*+ Epsom +*_

*+ 11th November – Epsom NO2ID Meeting +*
Tuesday, 11th November 7.30pm at the Assembly Rooms (Weatherspoons), High Street, Epsom. All welcome — bring a friend. If you’re unable to attend, but are interested in the activity of the group, please join the Epsom mailing list at lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.epsom
_**_
_*+ Glasgow +*_

*Most Saturdays 2pm – NO2ID Glasgow street stall*
Most Saturdays there are stalls in Glasgow city centre (usually Buchanan Street) from about 2pm. Volunteers are always welcome, please contact Geraint if you would like to help: glasgow@no2id.net
_**_
_*+ Manchester +*_

For updates and discussion, join the Manchester NO2ID mailing list at
manchester.no2id.net/

*+ 8th November – Manchester NO2ID Street Stall +*
Saturday, 8th November, 2pm-4pm in St. Anne’s Square, Manchester. We’ll be running a Saturday afternoon stall in St. Ann’s Square to raise awareness among the public and engage people in discussion about the National Identity Register. Newcomers, committed and curious welcome.

*+ 12th November – Manchester NO2ID meeting +*
Wednesday, 12th November, 7pm-9pm in the upstairs function room of the Town Hall Tavern, Tib Lane, Manchester. Sadly this venue is not wheelchair-accessible; please contact us if you have accessibility needs at manchester.no2id.net/contact

_*+ Oxford +*_

*+ 8th November – NO2ID Oxford Street Stall +*
Saturday, 8th November, 11am-1pm on Cornmarket Street, Oxford. It helps if you can let us know that you are coming (oxford@no2id.net)

*+ 13th November – Oxford NO2ID Meeting +*
Thursday, 13th November, 8pm at the Mitre on the High Street in Oxford.

*+ 21st November – NO2ID Oxford Student Event +*
Friday, 21st November from 7:30pm in Lecture Room B, Worcester College. This will be a joint event with the Oxford Libertarian Society and Oxford Students for Liberty, but will be open to all so feel free to come along and join in the discussions.

_*+ Shrewsbury +*_

*+ 8th November – Shrewsbury NO2ID street stall +*
Saturday, 8th November (weather permitting) between 10.30am and 1.30pm on Pride Hill. Drop by and say hello – if you can stay a little longer you are welcome to help by handing out leaflets and chatting to people.

*+ 17th November – Shrewsbury NO2ID “dining club” (3rd Monday of the month) +*
Monday, 17th November, 7.15pm until about 9pm – we will be meeting at the Armoury, Victoria Quay, Victoria Avenue, Welsh Bridge, Shrewsbury (see www.armoury-shrewsbury.co.uk). Look for a table with NO2ID leaflets scattered around it. Most of us will be eating, or just come for a drink. The St Austin’s Street car park behind the Armoury is free of charge after 8pm.
_**_
_*+ Tonbridge & Tunbridge Wells + *_

Stalls continue – if you want to help (and we’d like you to!) then please do drop us a line at tunbridge.wells@no2id.net.

*+ 6th November – Tonbridge & Tunbridge Wells NO2ID Meeting +*
Thursday, 6th November, 8pm at The Compasses, 45, Little Mount Sion, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1Y.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

++ “ID” in the news ++

*+ Gordon Brown says government cannot ensure data safety – The Times
2/11/08 +*
Gordon Brown has made a frank admission that government cannot promise the safety of personal data entrusted by the public. The Prime Minister was speaking hours after it emerged that a memory stick containing the passwords to a government website used to submit online tax returns had been lost.
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article5065795.ece

*+ Passport Service dismisses 14 for database abuses – ComputerWeekly
31/10/08 +*
The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) says it has dismissed 14 people over the last three years in relation to passport database abuses. The IPS is now closely involved in building the government’s national identity card database.
tinyurl.com/6xjfl6

*+ GCHQ expert dismisses ID cards ‘bunkum’ – The Independent 29/10/08 +*
Claims that ID cards will help the fight against terrorism have been dismissed as “absolute bunkum” by a senior Government security expert linked to GCHQ. Ministers faced embarrassment after Harvey Mattinson, a senior consultant at the information security arm of the intelligence listening station, spoke out at a technology conference.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/gchq
-expert-dismisses-id-cards-bunkum-978149.html

*+ Mobile firms call on Liberty – The Observer 26/10/08 +*
Mobile phone companies are seeking an endorsement from Liberty, the civil rights group, to assuage consumer concerns over possible misuse of the private data they hold on file.
www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/oct/26
/mobile-privacy-liberty-data-orange

*+ NO2ID shakes fist at plod print scanner plan – The Register 27/10/08 +*
Privacy group NO2ID is calling for legal protections before the introduction of mobile fingerprint scanners next year. As we reported in May the National Policing Improvement Agency handed over £50m for mobile devices to police forces. These will allow officers to check fingerprints against the Police National Computer.
www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/27/fingerprint_scans_objections/

*+ ID cards still have majority support – ZDNet 24/10/08 +*
A majority of the public remains in support of the National Identity Scheme, according to the latest figures from the Identity and Passport Service. The latest tracking research on the scheme, carried out by Taylor Nelson Sofres and published on Wednesday, claims that 60 percent are in favour, with 24 percent against, 14 percent neutral and 2 percent who don’t know.
news.zdnet.co.uk/security/0,1000000189,39529029,00.htm

*+ Civil servants’ pro-Labour memo reignites child data controversy –
The Register 23/10/08 +*
The Conservatives have called on the government to explain why supposedly impartial civil servants have intervened in a political argument over how sensitive data on children should be stored and shared. Earlier this week the Department for Children, Schools and Families wrote to local authorities to argue that Labour’s plans for the forthcoming ContactPoint database are the best to protect children from abuse.
www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/23/contactpoint_memo/

(Please send me any items of interest you encounter –
Editor (newsletter@no2id.net) )

Publication details: © NO2ID 2008 – This document may be freely redistributed in one-to-one communications or physical copies as long as it is reproduced in its entirety including this notice. It may not be mass-mailed without the prior permission of NO2ID.

NO2ID, Box 412, 19-21 Crawford Street, LONDON W1H 1PJ