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Warning on private data 'hellhouse'
31 Dec 2008- Rangers FC appoints administrator
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Human rights campaigners launched a stinging attack on the Government amid reports private firms could soon access a "hellhouse" of personal information.
Communications databases containing details of everyone's telephone calls, emails and internet use could be managed by the private sector under plans being explored by the Home Office, it was reported.
Sabina Frediani, head of campaigns at human rights organisation Liberty, said an option to tender out data in a consultation paper to be published next month would demonstrate how "out of touch" ministers had become.
She added: "The Home Secretary should think again about embarking on this misguided consultation exercise and pouring billions of pounds into this folly when people are worried about homes and jobs."
The private sector will be asked to manage the multibillion pound database of all UK communications traffic under a key option contained in a consultation paper to be published by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, the Guardian reported.
Former director of public prosecutions Sir Ken Macdonald attacked the policy, dismissing the notion that additional legal assurances would ensure the information is not misused. The facility is designed to help police and the security service by ensuring they have access to vital communications data which may not be saved by telephone or internet providers.
Warning it would prove a "hellhouse" of personal private information, he told the paper: "All history tells us that reassurances like these are worthless in the long run. In the first security crisis the locks would loosen."
The database, which critics claim would cost up to £12 billion, is not intended to feature the content of communications, but only the details of internet sites visited and what emails and telephone calls have been made, to whom and at what times. Currently the information has to be requested from communications companies, but it is not always readily available.
A Home Office spokesman said: "The communications revolution has been rapid in this country and the way in which we collect communications data needs to change so that law enforcement agencies can maintain their ability to tackle serious crime and terrorism. "To ensure that we keep up with technological advances we intend to consult widely on proposals in the New Year.
"We have been very clear that there are no plans for a database containing the content of emails, texts or conversations."
Reader views (2)
So we can collect data to fight crime..........yeah right - crimes like criticising Gordon Brown for being a traitor who should be hanged at the Tower for handing over the sovereignty of the UK to the Fourth Reich.
Oh damn - this post will go on their database. Ding dong...Gestapo calling.....
- Steve, London UK, 31/12/2008 17:14
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This is the biggest load of old cobblers ever. All private data will be released to all and sundry, whoever waves the largest cheque book under whichever firm our useless Marxist Government decides on - of course they will also take a cut.
I would not trust our Labour Government under Mr Gordon Brown and pals to anything they might tell us about 'safeguards'. They are a bunch of sleaze-bound, lying mungs who couldn't run a Whelk Stall at the end of Brighton Pier.
So much confidential and secret data has been lost under the watch of Mr Blair and Mr brown, it truly beggars beleif. They are the most terminally useless Labour government ever, and most definately the worst UK Government between all Labour and Conservative administrations since the end of WW2.
Bah to Mr Brown. I hope your time as PM is shortened soon by an early general election
- Uncle Vanya, Chelmsford UK, 31/12/2008 17:07
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