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Privacy row erupts over child database
Last updated at 23:37pm on 30.08.06
Plans for a government database holding personal details on ten million children could be illegal and will hand a dangerous weapon to paedophiles, according to a report.
Ministers are spending £200million of taxpayers money to create a file on every child in England and Wales, detailing personal information on their health and education.
More than 400,000 civil servants and council workers will have access to the Childrens Index, which by the end of 2008 will link up with 2,000 databases currently run separately by doctors, schools and social services.
But the report by the Information
Commissioners Office, an independent watchdog that reports to Parliament, warns that Labours plans will contravene data protection laws because parents will not be given a say over whether information on their children can be passed on.
The report, obtained by Channel 4s 30 Minutes programme, says the index is unlawful because in some cases the Government has abused its powers by failing to gain proper consent from parents.
The report adds that the database could actually put more children in peril because any paedophile gaining access to the system would be able to find and contact the most vulnerable children in any community.
Assistant Information Commissioner Jonathan Bamford said: I think people might be surprised by the extent of the information, and the reasons for keeping it. I think were getting to a stage where virtually every household that has a child in the UK, will have information held there.
Ministers say that the index will contain only basic information, including name, address and date of birth, plus details of a childs school, GP and whether they have a carer or social worker.
But those with access to the system would be able to use it as a means of seeking more detailed information on a child, including their health records or exam results.
The index was given the go-ahead in response to the murder of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie, who died because social services failed to talk to other agencies who could have spotted the torture and abuse she was suffering.
Cambridge professor Ross Anderson, one of the reports authors, warned that the security of the system is suspect.
There are many people with evil intent who will try to use databases once theyre built, he said. Paedophiles can use the database to find out which children in their neighbourhood are vulnerable and how. And where they live, if theyve got access to the system. And Im sure theyll get it.
A spokesman for the Department for Education, which is overseeing the plans, said: There will be extremely strict controls around access to information.
No one other than practitioners, such as police, GPs, and social workers with criminal record bureau checks would be able to access any information. The database is all about protecting vulnerable young people from abuse.
Reader views (5)
This is yet another example of a bad idea being forced upon the UK public in the guise that it will do some good.
It is only a short hop from this database to include Biometric data (which has to be provided when you want a new style passport) or fingerprints or even DNA and you have a very effective way of keeping watch on the general population of a country. OK so it will take a while for the most of the population of UK to wind up in this database, 10 to 15 years ought to do it. You could then tag on the National DNA Database (currently with some 3 million plus samples on file). Given that DNA samples are kept on record for those exonerated/acquitted of an offence and since the 1 January 2006 those arrested (but do not have to be charged) can have their DNA and fingerprints taken, then this number ticks up nicely. Add into the mix DVLA records, car movements (courtesy of Automatic Number Plate Recognition - ANPR) or the suggested road tax on a pay as you use/drive basis. Good heavens you could even keep track of how much waste the household produces and even this is could be categorised into landfill and recyclable waste.
We won't mention RFID tags in products or store loyalty cards which are an invaluable source of information as to the habits/preferences of people.
So most of the UK has sat by and watched certain freedoms disappear slowly with no action, but does the government have a right to take it from our children at birth? I think not!
- Wayne, Woking, UK
This is absolutely outrageous! Is a person no longer free in this country? Obviously not with Labour (new or old) in charge.
- Mel, Suffolk, England
I totally agree with Peter, who on earth has dreamt up such a ludicrous idea, the idea is to protect children not provide an open gate for people to harm them and that is where this database information would end up. As for poor Victoria! Unfortunately this seems the normal for agencies and they use excuses for their oversight and continually blame each other, about time these services were made accountable for their neglect as that is what it is and we seem to be hearing the same excuses over and over again... surely they should have learned from their mistakes by now.
- Sarah, London
Things can only get better they sang when Tony Blair came to power ! It should be renamed things how worse can they get! As a father he should be ashamed of himself.
- Sue, UK
OK, what idiot in the Labour Party dreamt up this ludicrous idea? Stupid, completely stupid. Tony, you are the weakest link. Goodbye, and good riddance.
- Peter , London, UK
