The New Dark Age

29 July, 2010 — NO2ID

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

Parliament is in recess, so now is a good time to take stock of the coalition’s few weeks in office. Has the database state rolled back?

The Identity Documents Bill – which will repeal the Identity Cards Act – is still in the Commons. Some improvements have been made, but the threat of officially registered identity, a ‘shadow Register’, remains. And much of the infrastructure is still being built on other Home Office pretexts. How many ID-scheme contracts will the Coalition terminate?

It *has* just sacked the lead contractor of the e-Borders programme, shutting down development temporarily. We are delighted to report that ContactPoint will end at noon on August 6th, with all data to be deleted safely.

Unfortunately the Coalition’s actions are not consistent. Last week, more people’s medical details were added to the Summary Care Record system than in any single week to date – 132,000. Most won’t even have known they had a chance to make a choice. Saying you’ll “give patients control of their records” while allowing well over half a million people’s details to be sucked into a system that gives it irrevocably to NHS management is not just breaking a promise. It shows the bureaucracy is still in control.

We can only hope the promised Freedom Bill will be better. That the million innocent people will be removed from the DNA database soon. But with retention of internet and e-mail records, ANPR, and dozens of other information sharing schemes still going forwards, there’s plenty still to put right.

NO2ID will be working hard over the summer. The database state hasn’t gone away and neither should we.

Thank you as ever for your support — it will be needed more than ever as we begin to push for positive protections and effective safeguards to secure the individual privacy against the database state.

What just happened?

ContactPoint database scrapped

The government has announced that from noon on 6th August, all access to the ContactPoint database — the centralised index of every child and family in England — will be shut off and the data destroyed within two months of the closure. Terri Dowty, of Action for Rights for Children (ARCH) said: “An enormous range of systems has been developed for monitoring children in an attempt to predict whether they will become criminals, get pregnant or fail their exams. These must also go, so that we can turn our attention back to genuine child protection.” There are fears that local authorities may seek to introduce substitute systems, creating a patchwork of systems, with even fewer constraints and weaker oversight.

Identity Documents Bill to be passed by December (or sooner…)

As parliament entered summer recess this week, the government laid out its plans in a document entitled ‘Political Reform Draft Structural Reform Plan’. In the civil liberties section it states: “Take Identity Documents Bill through parliament to scrap ID cards and the National Identity Register and halt work on having fingerprints on passports”, with an end date of December 2010, though the plan also says: “We have adopted a cautious view of the timescales for delivering all legislative measures due to the unpredictability of pressures on Parliamentary time.” The government had originally wanted to get the bill through before the summer holidays. Let’s hope continued delay will allow time to address NO2ID’s concerns about the bill’s content. Download the document at www.number10.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/Draft-Political-Reform-SRP.pdf

Talk amongst yourselves – who wrote ID card website comments?

The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) has finally responded to a Freedom of Information request relating to quotes on the ‘Using your identity card’ web page. The IPS was asked how many of the people quoted on the web page “work for IPS, the Home Office or any other government department or agency?” Their response: “We can confirm that eight of the nine people quoted on the website at the time either worked for the Identity and Passport Service (IPS), the Home Office or another government department or agency.” See www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/quotes_on_using_your_identity_ca The original web page is at: webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100304151554/http://ips.gov.uk/cps/rde/xchg/ips_live/hs.xsl/1436.htm

ICO says okay for GPs to begin a mass opt-out of patients

Hampshire GP, Dr Neil Bhatia reports that the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has provided some guidance for GPs who wish to opt out their patients en masse from the Summary Care Records system. The ICO regards the en masse opting-out of patients as “processing of data” and so as such it falls under the Data Protection Act. Accordingly, patients must be informed that this is happening – fair processing information must be provided. This allows GPs to switch to what is effectively an opt-in model for the care record. See www.neilb.demon.co.uk/download/ICO_ENQ0322622.pdf For more information on Summary care Records see www.no2id.net/downloads/SCR_bad_idea.pdf

Summary Care Records Motion support continues to grow slowly

An Early Day Motion (EDM 186) introduced in the House of Commons calling on the government to halt all Summary Care Record uploads is still slowly gaining the support. If you have not already done so please consider writing to your MP asking them to sign Early Day Motion 186. Read the motion at edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=41109&SESSION=905

What’s next?

*+ Before 31st August – Take part in Metropolitan Police Authority DNA Database Survey +*
The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) want to know your views on the National DNA Database and the use of DNA in policing. The survey closes on Tuesday 31 August 2010. The review will be published on the MPA website once completed. You can complete the questionnaire online or by calling 020 7202 0233 to request a paper copy (with freepost envelope) or telephone questionnaire. To take part visit surveys.mpa.gov.uk/v.asp?i=23844lyrxl

*+ Date TBC – Identity Documents Bill 3rd Reading +*
The Identity Documents Bill has now completed its Committee Stage and will next have its Report Stage and 3rd Reading in the House of Commons before moving on to the House of Lords.Follow the bill’s progress at services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/identitydocuments.html

“ID” in the news

*+ ID card astroturf – NO2ID beats the truth out of IPS – The Register 29/7/10 +*
A cackling Phil Booth, NO2ID National Coordinator, writes to tell us that six months after he first pestered the Identity & Passport Service about its quotes from ID card-toting happy campers in its publicity material, it has confessed – um yes, all but one of those quoted worked for the government. www.theregister.co.uk/2010/07/29/ips_id_card_astroturf/

*+ No ID, no vote – Daily Mail 28/7/10 +*
Voters should be required to present proof of identity when they go to the polls as part of a massive overhaul of Britain’s voting system, the official elections watchdog said today. www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1297933/Watchdog-calls-immediate-action-prevent-repeat-election-chaos.html

*+ Boycott the electronic patient record, senior GP urges others – Daily Telegraph 28/7/10 +*
Dr Paul Cundy, former chairman of the British Medical Association’s IT committee has urged GPs across the country to block the uploading of patient records at their surgeries. www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7912895/Boycott-the-electronic-patient-record-senior-GP-urges-others.html

*+ Fresh concerns over e-borders scheme – Manx radio 26/7/10 +*
Fresh problems with the UK government’s e-borders scheme approved by Tynwald earlier this month could mean huge changes to the way it’s set up. So says long-standing critic of the plan Tristram Llewellyn Jones after the UK government sacked contractor Raytheon Systems. The company was fired after it admitted work to create a database of traveller’s movements and information was at least a year behind schedule. www.manxradio.com/newsread.aspx?id=46515

*+ The danger of a national NHS database – Daily Telegraph 26/7/10 +*
Three’s no point in participating in the NHS database when no one is responsible for ensuring records are accurate or relevant. www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthadvice/jameslefanu/7907482/The-danger-of-a-national-NHS-database.html

*+ Yorkshire police plan mobile fingerprint scanners – Kable 20/7/10 +*
South Yorkshire Police is planning to equip some officers with fingerprint scanners to use with BlackBerrys at the end of the year. www.kable.co.uk/west-yorkshire-barnsley-police-mobile-fingerprint-scanners-20jul10

*+ Fears over new EU snooping powers for police – Daily Telegraph 16/7/10 +*
The proposed power would allow officers from an EU country to demand information on anyone they suspect of an offence, no matter how minor or whether it is even criminal in the UK. The directive would see UK police almost powerless to prevent the handing over of personal details such as DNA, bank account or even telephone records. www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/7893047/Fears-over-new-EU-snooping-powers-for-police.html

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

*+ LOCAL GROUPS NEWS + *

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 James on local.groups@no2id.net to discuss what’s involved and what we have in place to support coordinators and their groups.

_*+ Cambridge +*_

*Cambridge NO2ID media coverage*
Cambridge NO2ID got news coverage in the local papers this week when we welcomed the announcement of the switch-off date for ContactPoint: www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge/Campaigners-delighted-as-224m-child-database-axed.htm

The Cambridge group is planning a celebration when the bill abolishing the ID Cards scheme is actually passed. It now looks as though this will be after parliament’s summer recess, in September. Watch this space for details …

_*+ Camden & Islington +*_

*+ 3rd August – Camden & Islington (1st Tuesday of month)* +
8.00pm at The Kings Head (in the beer garden), 59 Essex Rd, Islington. All welcome.

For more info email camden@no2id.net or join the mailing list at: (www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.camden).

_*+ Dorking +*_

*+ 8th August – Dorking NO2ID Celebration Party +*
No monthly meeting for August — instead we are having a celebration party on Sunday 8th August in Betchworth. More details on application, but hopefully I’ll be in touch with everyone who has helped out over the last two and a half years.

If you would like to help or get involved with the Dorking group, contact Geoff Cox (dorking@no2id.net or 01306 631377).

_*+ Glasgow +*_

*Identity guidelines delayed*
Publication of the Scottish Government’s Identity Management and Privacy Guidelines has now been delayed until Autumn 2010 – they were previously expected to be ready for this summer. Further information about the guidelines is available on the Scottish Government’s website: www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/PublicServiceReform/efficientgovernment/DIMPPolicy

_*+ Edinburgh + *_*******

**+ Saturdays 1pm – 3pm – Edinburgh **NO2ID** 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/

_*+ Manchester +*_

*+ 8th August – Manchester NO2ID Monthly Meeting +*
Saturday 8th August, 1-2pm, at The Moon Under Water, Deansgate, Manchester. The pub is just opposite St Ann’s Square and serves food.

For information on Manchester NO2ID see manchester.no2id.net/ or contact Dave Page on or 07722 615 398.

**_*+ Norwich +*_

If you are interested in the work of the Norwich group, please join their mailing list on: lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.norwich

Publication details: © NO2ID 2010 – 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