tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2144050635384632092024-03-05T23:18:34.210+00:00NO2ID BirminghamStop the database stateNO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.comBlogger273125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-39549504552603478522010-06-30T16:11:00.004+01:002010-06-30T16:19:21.349+01:00So far so good<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FIN5qRlr60FTyxcltRQ1WcFqFMOTFc3Hn-gwG44XTh8toJkVFKgBCycuFtVtqlSUkI5KX8FEXbTDMKx3FUyJS54_Yixdd4roU4x3L6f50l2nvvGqZ3llJzF_WdicLpGmsInhl6z7sgE/s1600/Victory.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 223px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FIN5qRlr60FTyxcltRQ1WcFqFMOTFc3Hn-gwG44XTh8toJkVFKgBCycuFtVtqlSUkI5KX8FEXbTDMKx3FUyJS54_Yixdd4roU4x3L6f50l2nvvGqZ3llJzF_WdicLpGmsInhl6z7sgE/s320/Victory.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488584752791763410" /></a><br /><br />Mission accomplished?<br /><br />It would seem so. The fightback by the supporters of ID cards has began, yet all they have done so far is make noises and remind us all why they lost the argument. But if you are interested in a broader approach to civil liberties you will already be aware that this is just one important battle won, there are many others.<br /><br />So what of the future? Well first we say thank you for your support and ask you to remain alert until the bill related to ID cards passes into law. And then still remain alert! There will always be threats from the state to civil liberties but a well organised protest group can achieve results.NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-78064883441547989162010-05-18T12:12:00.006+01:002010-05-18T12:22:48.188+01:00It's not over yet.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfo9kHDgG91dOEFEKOIy52ZTzG-yepU5uElLuAYil8KdjoMgUQ-ZLPpnuuIOMhHgAuq9i14wO4oiSUhtdM8n8OIVCUh4voMzR-55yaYieQSHcSOutOFfjuKMeKgcjriTk-MPmSsvGvcQ/s1600/FatLadySings.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 142px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfo9kHDgG91dOEFEKOIy52ZTzG-yepU5uElLuAYil8KdjoMgUQ-ZLPpnuuIOMhHgAuq9i14wO4oiSUhtdM8n8OIVCUh4voMzR-55yaYieQSHcSOutOFfjuKMeKgcjriTk-MPmSsvGvcQ/s200/FatLadySings.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472566907630344786" /></a><br />Phil Booth writes:<br /><br /> NO2ID is now into its second phase: having won over the political establishment, we need to drive home the advantage and finish the job. You, and everyone who made the NO2ID Pledge, knew that this second phase could have been mass resistance. We can feel rightfully proud (and relieved) that it is not.<br /><br /> So this is good. Campaigning is clearly going to be different in this second phase, in all likelihood less confrontational - but no less important for that. What's really important right now is that folks get in touch with their new MP - see my P.S. for one very good reason to do so.<br /><br /> In coming weeks, we have to make sure that the details of the Freedom Bill are correct, and that they'll have the necessary effect. There's good reason to be optimistic, but we'll need to keep the pressure up to ensure the promised repeals and reforms are swiftly enacted and properly enforced.<br /><br /> We already know that Whitehall has been preparing for this new phase for some time. It's unlikely to give up its various empires and pet projects without a fight. But, working together, we have shown we can win.<br /><br /> Looking forward to a real celebration, to mark the Royal Assent of the<br /> Freedom (Great Repeal) Act 2010...<br /><br /> Thank you again, Phil Booth, National Coordinator. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">P.S. A Freedom of Information request published this week shows that Connecting for Health did not just sent out 10 million 'Patient Information Packs' (the letter about Summary Care Records) in the run-up to the election, as previously reported. It sent 30 MILLION!</span>NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-20072330587073696522010-05-12T17:56:00.004+01:002010-05-12T18:03:33.972+01:00NO2ID victory!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5x2GDtblnoiTTD0Xu-L8WTDsHNk23neVsRhnEozh7XikuDzNiuzobkM3McYfXSrUEVhY9QTmaBL16I0VRP-orMA6-BInUa7BNUC1NC2Zekwc-mp9xclteYcX6pSn45zZNl8CpnRY2xE/s1600/Home-Office-IPS.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 171px; height: 95px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5x2GDtblnoiTTD0Xu-L8WTDsHNk23neVsRhnEozh7XikuDzNiuzobkM3McYfXSrUEVhY9QTmaBL16I0VRP-orMA6-BInUa7BNUC1NC2Zekwc-mp9xclteYcX6pSn45zZNl8CpnRY2xE/s320/Home-Office-IPS.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470429471891360834" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span><br /><br />The following announcement is on the <a href="http://www.ips.gov.uk/cps/rde/xchg/ips_live/hs.xsl/53.htm"> Home Office </a> site already. Brilliant.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">IDENTITY CARDS</span><br /><br />Both Parties that now form the new Government stated in their manifestos that they will cancel Identity Cards and the National Identity Register. We will announce in due course how this will be achieved. Applications can continue to be made for ID cards but we would advise anyone thinking of applying to wait for further announcements.<br /><br />Until Parliament agrees otherwise, identity cards remain valid and as such can still be used as an identity document and for travel within Europe. We will update you with further information as soon as we have it.NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-12975557450639226072010-05-12T10:40:00.011+01:002010-05-12T15:02:28.438+01:00Sounds good - so far.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuiOxjQOCTR3jjWCyvjv_UPxWq7VnVS8wfI4I5g77LA2iq93D0xBY1Nh4BuBI9llvx_IpO1dLx3LYBT3CuATSD53DMWGm8SEjM_4fTLU-hPDeOZTdeqvXzGKipjmIIWN2W9px1zTh678/s1600/article-1277599-09893D28000005DC-332_634x844.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuiOxjQOCTR3jjWCyvjv_UPxWq7VnVS8wfI4I5g77LA2iq93D0xBY1Nh4BuBI9llvx_IpO1dLx3LYBT3CuATSD53DMWGm8SEjM_4fTLU-hPDeOZTdeqvXzGKipjmIIWN2W9px1zTh678/s200/article-1277599-09893D28000005DC-332_634x844.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470320615277392210" /></a><br />The Lib-Dem/Tory coalition promises a major reform of civil liberties. According to the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8677933.stm">BBC:<br /></a><br /><br />The parties agree to implement a full programme of measures to reverse the substantial erosion of civil liberties under the Labour Government and roll back state intrusion.<br /><br />This will include:<br /><br /># A Freedom or Great Repeal Bill.<br /><br /># The scrapping of ID card scheme, the National Identity register, the next generation of biometric passports and the Contact Point Database.<br /><br /># Outlawing the finger-printing of children at school without parental permission.<br /><br /># The extension of the scope of the Freedom of Information Act to provide greater transparency.<br /><br /># Adopting the protections of the Scottish model for the DNA database.<br /><br /># The protection of historic freedoms through the defence of trial by jury.<br /><br /># The restoration of rights to non-violent protest.<br /><br /># The review of libel laws to protect freedom of speech.<br /><br /># Safeguards against the misuse of anti-terrorism legislation.<br /><br /># Further regulation of CCTV.<br /><br /># Ending of storage of internet and email records without good reason.<br /><br /># A new mechanism to prevent the proliferation of unnecessary new criminal offences.NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-13461010272249872912010-05-11T00:19:00.005+01:002011-02-25T12:52:15.072+00:00Photocopier danger<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdqZV684U7Y8Sdt4ehbq8fB3lBUI0IutKSVj5ehCcongS7DwXb3BFtQB6FSIFo1Dn9H8ugPkWqh8KDY7ZqTtkdxcb6KOImAB9yQSws9bODmzYpFCTJEkPArdHXE8MGLO3_Yh4gfzoSXs/s1600/photocopier3.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdqZV684U7Y8Sdt4ehbq8fB3lBUI0IutKSVj5ehCcongS7DwXb3BFtQB6FSIFo1Dn9H8ugPkWqh8KDY7ZqTtkdxcb6KOImAB9yQSws9bODmzYpFCTJEkPArdHXE8MGLO3_Yh4gfzoSXs/s200/photocopier3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469787062137287234" border="0" /></a><br />Photocopiers contain hard drives that store all the images that have been copied. It is possible to pay for security methods to deal with this. I doubt the UK government knows about this. Watch the <a href="http://www.bigbrotherwatch.org.uk/home/2010/05/every-photocopy-stored-ready-for-download.html">video</a> from CBS News as reported by Big Brother Watch.NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-85790422602475711982010-05-08T15:05:00.004+01:002010-05-08T15:11:03.380+01:00Surveillance and feline aggression.No doubt eventually a caring coalition will emerge and enact a law to protect us all from dangerous cats. <br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zATogM8p3FM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zATogM8p3FM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-8287671368822329372010-05-04T21:25:00.007+01:002010-05-04T21:46:06.177+01:00Labyrinths<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbrVB6Y5jRa0AwotdcuvtzWIfcGPHktJQQmYGHQZEsrTdqZwcrTYTaXGO5kZEvd8JZnttyWaR_9MXCaJG6txH8L_hbRDdbgDuO_PTsejIyAlwSC2ORSyuIuHhFMJY5ng_B-cmyD0OctQ/s1600/escher-relativity.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbrVB6Y5jRa0AwotdcuvtzWIfcGPHktJQQmYGHQZEsrTdqZwcrTYTaXGO5kZEvd8JZnttyWaR_9MXCaJG6txH8L_hbRDdbgDuO_PTsejIyAlwSC2ORSyuIuHhFMJY5ng_B-cmyD0OctQ/s200/escher-relativity.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467518251505699474" /></a><br />If you were relieved that the Lib-Dems and Tories have pledged to scrap ContactPoint, then the summary of databases involving children compiled by ARCH (Action On Children's Rights) makes sombre reading. The <a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/626993/PrivacyGuideforParents.pdf"> Privacy Guide for Parents </a> details the state's recording of the minutiae of every child's life. The scary aspect of this is that the aim was probably benign and well-meaning.NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-68214642443262055012010-04-26T12:08:00.004+01:002010-04-26T12:15:25.213+01:00Civil liberties mentioned!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bniJUMxwFKcgy2Mt1n1UkM_oCE1eUVNs9wjBf73vKkzTaLpD870QOUuzmyzB2Uxxe5Z6U2EaSt56FsKkY12fvtl9UU2Nv8KYV4SSf4nIHZ5ZOQWBx767uaalw_CWxai0J8Z1l6Da4Ec/s1600/scot.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 129px; height: 86px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bniJUMxwFKcgy2Mt1n1UkM_oCE1eUVNs9wjBf73vKkzTaLpD870QOUuzmyzB2Uxxe5Z6U2EaSt56FsKkY12fvtl9UU2Nv8KYV4SSf4nIHZ5ZOQWBx767uaalw_CWxai0J8Z1l6Da4Ec/s200/scot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464403005116097554" /></a><br />At last we have a discussion on civil liberties, at the Scottish Leaders' Debate, see <a href="http://video.stv.tv/bc/news-250410-s1-civil/">here.</a> It's quite simplistic and repetitive, but does mention ID cards and the DNA database. However, at least the subject has been raised.NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-83536695914370718732010-04-24T16:52:00.006+01:002011-02-25T12:16:30.633+00:00Ask your candidates<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbXCDOYI_n7Kb5T0L2p9lYZEtxONh4mzfJETlCgtvvRxnqZn_Ut2vThy4I1rLnowtXvKKRn7UC45WHK2d7HC-jbvJ48HIaZV2kQuWU4hpb4XWoqNuz0wbD63rXHUbVMSswckVspCAueM/s1600/11_45_12-ballot-box_web.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbXCDOYI_n7Kb5T0L2p9lYZEtxONh4mzfJETlCgtvvRxnqZn_Ut2vThy4I1rLnowtXvKKRn7UC45WHK2d7HC-jbvJ48HIaZV2kQuWU4hpb4XWoqNuz0wbD63rXHUbVMSswckVspCAueM/s200/11_45_12-ballot-box_web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463733515362153410" border="0" /></a><br />Two weeks from now Parliament will have changed. Whoever forms the next government, over a quarter of MPs will be new to the job. Many may not know how much the database state matters to their constituents, or how deeply it will affect them.<br /><br />They need to be informed and you can help. Starting now.<br /><br />Over the next fortnight make it a point to ask your local candidates <span style="font-weight: bold;">one</span> of NO2ID's seven questions for candidates at a hustings meeting or in a personal letter or e-mail. Listen carefully to what they say, and let them know you'll be following up. One of them will be your MP and needs to know you care.<br /><br />NO2ID is looking for candidates to have their <span style="font-weight: bold;">own opinions</span> on these questions. We aren't seeking to punish people for giving 'wrong' answers or to antagonise them. What we are hoping is to get them outside party lines and looking at the issues for themselves. Even if they disagree with us now, a willingness to think about it will make them approachable in the next parliament.<br /><br />See previous blog for seven questions you might like to choose from and here is an easy way to <a href="http://www.writetothem.com">e-mail your candidate.</a>NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-67663821961187497972010-04-23T10:12:00.003+01:002010-04-23T10:20:11.723+01:00NO2ID Questions for Candidates: General Election 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-96Iq-ek6cEG8LIO1PmrFbQYbK8TR6pWY4Pfzuu6DoJydQQ7wI80NloOA5FHdXcpicd1J9s2ujU1RnauyGZc2leH0fI2s6UsD4OkKaB9J2WwBv0MKXFUcCtbVxfeLng1qGmmYwcX3_Z4/s1600/NO2ID_badge_NEW_600dpi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-96Iq-ek6cEG8LIO1PmrFbQYbK8TR6pWY4Pfzuu6DoJydQQ7wI80NloOA5FHdXcpicd1J9s2ujU1RnauyGZc2leH0fI2s6UsD4OkKaB9J2WwBv0MKXFUcCtbVxfeLng1qGmmYwcX3_Z4/s200/NO2ID_badge_NEW_600dpi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463260218128207490" /></a><br />1) The National Identity Scheme is not just about ID cards. It is built on a National Identity Register, a set of linked databases behind the cards holding an archive of personal information. The Identity Cards Act 2006 provides for lifelong control of personal identity by the state and data-sharing without the knowledge or consent of the individual. The Act permits any official document to be designated, compelling registration for anyone who needs that document. Though the UK is under no obligation to add fingerprints to the passport, the Home Office intends to make fingerprinting and joining the National Identity Register compulsory for anyone who applies for a passport from 2012.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">If elected, would you vote to repeal the Identity Cards Act 2006? Would you also oppose moves to make a database of passport holders and their fingerprints a feature of the British passport? </span><br /><br />2) Medical confidentiality is fundamental to public health. If people feel that what they say to their doctor will not remain private, they may fail to disclose vital information or avoid treatment, assisting the spread of disease. By seizing all medical records and making them centrally accessible to hundreds of thousands of people - in the NHS and outside - the electronic Care Records System destroys the assurance of confidentiality. The Department for Health is seeking now to upload from GP’s surgeries sensitive data, including chronic conditions and prescriptions. It is using a fraudulent definition of ‘consent’ in order to do it, with heavy promotion using public money, of claims about benefits that are not supported by evidence. Patients are made to jump through unnecessary hoops in order to exercise their right to opt out.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">If elected, would you work to ensure that control of medical records remains with patients and their own doctors, and that they are shared only with properly informed consent?</span><br /><br />3) The National DNA Database contains the profiles of almost one million people who have not been convicted of any crime. A few notorious cases are quoted to justify this, but detailed examination usually shows they could have been solved using proper police procedure and a database only of convicted criminals. Treating the innocent as criminal suspects corrodes relations between the police and the public, and undermines confidence in the quite proper use of DNA detection. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">How should the DNA database be operated? If elected, would you vote to remove immediately and automatically all profiles of unconvicted people from the DNA database? </span><br /><br />4) ContactPoint, an index of every child (and family) in England and Wales is now operating, despite technical and security faults. It identifies the most vulnerable by flagging those using sensitive services and is accessible to hundreds of thousands of people. It is too big ever to be secure. The existence of a "shielding" scheme, denied to most families, suggests that in fact ContactPoint itself is a potential danger to children. Putting record-keeping on a database can’t correct the failures of child protection to act, which is the cause of the most notorious tragedies. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Are the hundreds of millions spent on ContactPoint and related databases not better spent in other ways? </span><br /><br />5) The creation of the Independent Safeguarding Authority means a massive expansion of police checking. The Authority can ban you from your career for accusations, or even for its own idea of 'risk factors' in your legal behaviour. Lifelong retention of arrest records by the police means ‘enhanced’ Criminal Records checks may treat you as a convicted criminal simply for being arrested – affecting your potential employment and volunteering, with no right of appeal. Mass checking feeds suspicion and undermines trust, but there is no evidence that it prevents any sort of crime. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">If elected, what would you do to reform vetting and barring schemes?</span><br /><br />6) Despite denying plans for a central database of communications data, the Home Office set up a new directorate just this January to push forward the £2 billion Interception Modernisation Programme (IMP). The intent is store details of everyone you call, text or e-mail and which websites you visit – providing a record of clues to your religious and political beliefs, your sexual interests and personal relationships, your financial and medical worries – ‘just in case’ they become of interest to the authorities. Phone tapping and opening mail is so sensitive that it is a power exercised only on the approval of the Home Secretary, and cannot even be mentioned in court. But collecting communications data, and building techniques for them to be arbitrarily investigated, makes much more available to be known about every one of us without any form of warrant or independent oversight.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">If elected, would you vote to ensure that access to any form of personal communications is only permitted to formal investigations under warrant?<br /></span><br />7) Tens of millions of law-abiding citizens are being routinely monitored as they travel, on the roads by Automatic Number Plate Recognition – without any legal basis – and in the air or by sea when detailed passenger records are passed to the Home Office’s e-Borders data centre even as you leave the country. Vast quantities of information, including your financial details from ticketing, and pictures of who you are travelling with, are being kept. For five years in the case of road data, and ten years at least for e-Borders. It is passed around government agencies, and even sent abroad. Such records are used to match records with ‘intelligence’ (which usually means guesses) from other sources – exposing unsuspecting citizens to suspicion, arbitrary penalties, and worse.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What limits would you place on the database surveillance of those travelling abroad and within the UK?</span>NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-36187465046665137692010-04-22T16:30:00.009+01:002010-04-22T16:56:34.300+01:00Ask Nick.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOgbCiodvF-7SGqlgW-59SI2ihahci3uV8aX5c8OoKuu_v5LhCndDZ67qLZMvrIbOYptCOOB3zptJHtnKoJO5SMJXoMMhwPoIYqivTL9hO9JWz5cWvzHU9uw0TZevsoGpwR1jqF7uYns/s1600/nick.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 94px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOgbCiodvF-7SGqlgW-59SI2ihahci3uV8aX5c8OoKuu_v5LhCndDZ67qLZMvrIbOYptCOOB3zptJHtnKoJO5SMJXoMMhwPoIYqivTL9hO9JWz5cWvzHU9uw0TZevsoGpwR1jqF7uYns/s200/nick.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462990830095039826" /></a><br />I think most people would agree that, of all the parties, the Liberal-Democrat manifesto promises on civil liberties are the best. However, these are domestic policies and we need to know their views on proposed EU legislation. Liberal Democrat MEPs voted for the fast track European Arrest Warrant, under which Britons have been sent abroad to face trial, sometimes for fairly trivial offences. The Tories voted against this.<br /><br />The European Union has put forward a proposal, the extended <span style="font-weight:bold;">European Evidence Warrant</span>, which would be an EU-wide search warrant that could be issued in any state, and which would be binding on all police forces. Warrants could also be issued which would force police to intercept phone calls, set up CCTV surveillance, monitor bank accounts, and even demand body samples such as fingerprints or DNA. See <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/7611446/European-DNA-seizure-plans-slammed-by-Conservatives.html">here.</a><br /><br />This European Commission Green Paper proposes going much further than the European Arrest Warrant and is in essence, an expansion of Ripa powers to every state in the EU.<br /><br />Naturally our old friend, Home Affairs Minister, Meg Hillier says:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">We would in principle support a new and comprehensive instrument based on mutual recognition that covers all types of evidence.</span><br /><br />Dominic Grieve, the shadow justice minister, said that a Conservative government would ensure that Britain did not opt into the scheme:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Civil liberties campaigners are right to be concerned about this extension of state power across national boundaries. </span><br /><br />We need to ask Nick his views on this subject.NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-67990767956892968702010-04-21T20:41:00.005+01:002011-02-25T12:22:29.133+00:00Email your parliamentary candidates.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0nhhELdx3IDLcMVzEyMLHNRvdRaCZm_nG7nOGm495lRQgIwGCuCex5irYKbN4uBxYYqcp8GyR3THqZCGHiFA9M4zW6-2KVQDNgw9RJ0FDJBPVh9tO9rz37BCD3rhXARv1odKXjWe1AI/s1600/election-2010-five-months-to-go--$7037934$300.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0nhhELdx3IDLcMVzEyMLHNRvdRaCZm_nG7nOGm495lRQgIwGCuCex5irYKbN4uBxYYqcp8GyR3THqZCGHiFA9M4zW6-2KVQDNgw9RJ0FDJBPVh9tO9rz37BCD3rhXARv1odKXjWe1AI/s200/election-2010-five-months-to-go--$7037934$300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462680535349836866" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks to <a href="http://policestate.co.uk/articles/75">Police state </a> we have a list of many of the grassroots campaigns attempting to give some power and influence to us, the voters.<br /><br /> <a href="http://www.writetothem.com"> </a><a href="http://www.writetothem.com">Write To Them</a> is an excellent tool. Send all of the candidates in your area an email to see where they stand on a particular issue.NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-8927374691390027432010-04-20T19:54:00.010+01:002010-04-20T20:31:35.668+01:00An unhealthy approach to data?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs66S7VANqDJ5b5xAZZ6GBCvKTLKMbShpFIX9vG_CF5tT6toKkml5DQ_0Sqefl-ysVE8A_UFvY9M4_0a4IiMClKEtbXZ9JY0INtIn9sgyW0Yu13x2PtDzYEZbhbUwQnCnYFXZGImx7gBw/s1600/nhs.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 128px; height: 77px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs66S7VANqDJ5b5xAZZ6GBCvKTLKMbShpFIX9vG_CF5tT6toKkml5DQ_0Sqefl-ysVE8A_UFvY9M4_0a4IiMClKEtbXZ9JY0INtIn9sgyW0Yu13x2PtDzYEZbhbUwQnCnYFXZGImx7gBw/s200/nhs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462303906084372178" /></a><br />Whilst you are, hopefully, busily writing letters to the press and PPCs please note that a local patient record system is under development called the Interim Electronic Patient Record (iEPR), see <a href="http://www.hobiepr.nhs.uk/">here.</a> At least it is news to me and I find that you can download an opt out letter. We are told that:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Heart of Birmingham iEPR is an electronic patient record that contains information extracted from your GP and Hospital records and makes them available to clinical staff wherever they are treating you locally.</span><br /><br />We are also told that:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Heart of Birmingham (iEPR) and the National Care Record Summary (NCRS) share some similarities, such as the ability to share clinical information and robust controls over access to this data. However; the iEPR is not part of the NCRS project and does not provide information to the national system. The HoB iEPR is a local system, only available to patients registered with a Heart of Birmingham Primary Care Practice.</span><br /><br />Presumably other trusts have a similar system. If you don't want to participate then fill in the form. Naturally there is logic in such a system BUT we should be told about it, asked whether we wish to participate and not merely given the facility to opt out when we haven't even been told the system exists and find out about it by chance!NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-40123664463550106612010-04-18T23:01:00.011+01:002011-02-25T12:20:02.497+00:00That's it folks.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqO13r6bvnQzeCYQvzv942MlNz0E4RTRtVQf_fyirck-74td7C-ChZE_O4258Izekg4MLjGdD08bOxmQutiU8KfZFpO8wg6YaqbFX51svLVYBAqG_XwZciMnj7I7OoBc7xugSg0Q7KuUI/s1600/GP_logo123.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqO13r6bvnQzeCYQvzv942MlNz0E4RTRtVQf_fyirck-74td7C-ChZE_O4258Izekg4MLjGdD08bOxmQutiU8KfZFpO8wg6YaqbFX51svLVYBAqG_XwZciMnj7I7OoBc7xugSg0Q7KuUI/s200/GP_logo123.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461604200762627218" border="0" /></a><br />The Green Party's 50 page <a href="http://www.greenparty.org.uk/assets/files/resources/Manifesto_web_file.pdf"> </a>manifesto gives detailed policies in a variety of areas but makes little mention of civil liberties: they would:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Oppose ID cards as they will not reduce or prevent crime. We also have grave concerns over the development of a national dataset, including detailed biometric data, which has potential for the infringement of civil liberties.</span><br /><br />UKIP make no mention of civil liberties or the database state and the BNP don't even have a manifesto! Update- <span style="font-style: italic;">The BNP rejects ID cards as an undesirable manifestation of the surveillance society.</span>NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-59084903214457762122010-04-14T16:38:00.010+01:002010-04-14T17:01:26.731+01:00Tory versus Lib Dem manifestos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtm09MjNraoY96duEyaIS0JpbTnCXWjfu5Ew_8UCk6UaHMbmQV9fNDgBfDzKuaGVjw5GHJy5fj5plqWfy8qX1GhBc8pWnUcbqQJMO0_qsyLW56pB1YHeX7i-ubiD4KNpnT9VEXJAUvPk/s1600/ballot_box.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtm09MjNraoY96duEyaIS0JpbTnCXWjfu5Ew_8UCk6UaHMbmQV9fNDgBfDzKuaGVjw5GHJy5fj5plqWfy8qX1GhBc8pWnUcbqQJMO0_qsyLW56pB1YHeX7i-ubiD4KNpnT9VEXJAUvPk/s200/ballot_box.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460018168010977138" /></a><br />The <a href="http://media.conservatives.s3.amazonaws.com/manifesto/cpmanifesto2010_lowres.pdf"> Tories have pledged </a> to: <span style="font-style:italic;"> scale back the database state and protect the privacy of the public's information. </span> However, they are short on detail and some pledges are somewhat ambiguous. <br /><br />They say they will scrap the National Identity Register, ID cards and ContactPoint, good, no change here. <br /><br />They state that <span style="font-style:italic;"> the indefinite retention of innocent people's DNA is unacceptable, yet DNA data provides a useful tool for solving crimes </span>- cryptic or what? They will also <span style="font-style:italic;">reform the criminal records system so it protects children without destroying trust</span>, but don't say how.<br /><br />The <a href="http://network.libdems.org.uk/manifesto2010/libdem_2010_yoursay.pdf">Lib Dems</a> have pledged to scrap the National Identity Register, ID cards, ContactPoint and the DNA retention of innocent people. Good.<br /><br /> They would also regulate CCTV (<span style="font-style:italic;">somehow</span>) and stop children being fingerprinted at school without parental permission. <br /><br />They would end plans to store e-mail and internet records without good cause. <br /><br />They also state that they would scrap new passports with additional biometric data. No fingerprints in passports then? Excellent.<br /><br />So, why not ask your Lib Dem canvasser whether they will definitely change government policy as regards passports and annoy the EU and what they would do about the 'vetting and barring' database?<br /><br />Why not ask your Tory canvasser to explain why so little detail is included in their civil liberties' policy, despite excellent rhetoric?NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-19114945063790548942010-04-13T20:00:00.014+01:002010-04-14T00:31:58.113+01:00Child safety or guesswork?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsI_5ISTEMlINGYJQT4ZRbjRdFpMnfPDFjjLstlhDbE3OCJ1-kFZPL06V-6SzandOM16Ev9LeYIYU2BVSod0UzTtNF441iFAK3vsiz01Dk6k-Zl8PIW0uuC7GWeMVu5Por0xYgbbNVjEs/s1600/adult_holding_hands_walking_w_child8773.11230106.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsI_5ISTEMlINGYJQT4ZRbjRdFpMnfPDFjjLstlhDbE3OCJ1-kFZPL06V-6SzandOM16Ev9LeYIYU2BVSod0UzTtNF441iFAK3vsiz01Dk6k-Zl8PIW0uuC7GWeMVu5Por0xYgbbNVjEs/s200/adult_holding_hands_walking_w_child8773.11230106.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459717984276519394" /></a><br />A <a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2929752/BUNGLING-officials-have-labelled-15000-innocent-people-as-criminals.html"> FOI </a> request by the Sun has revealed that <span style="font-weight:bold;">15,000</span> innocent people have been labelled criminals in the past six years. This equates to seven mistakes a day by the Criminal Records Bureau.<br /><blockquote><span style="font-style:italic;">The victims discovered they had been branded sex offenders, violent thugs or fraudsters when they had a CRB check before a new job. Many went through lengthy appeals to clear their names.Most of the bungles involved CRB checks being mixed up, or incorrect details being given out by staff.Others involved police releasing information which was recorded wrongly when an offence was committed.</span></blockquote><br />The <a href="http://media.conservatives.s3.amazonaws.com/manifesto/cpmanifesto2010_lowres.pdf"> Conservative manifesto </a> states that the ISA's 'vetting and barring' regime would be scaled back to a 'common sense level but would retain the CRB check for those working with children. This rather depends on one's definition of 'common sense'.<br /><br />Over 21,000 alleged sex crimes involving children under 16 were reported to police between 2008 - 2009, however we do not know whether sexual assaults by those working with children have increased or decreased since CRB checks were introduced, as central Home Office statistics are not collated. How many such attacks have been perpetrated by adults who have had a clear CRB check? Surely it would be easy and sensible to begin to compile such statistics and then these figures could be compared to the numbers of adults who have had lives and careers ruined by mistakes, false allegations and rumour. Not to mention the creation of mistrust and suspicion between adults and children.<br /><br />It sounds silly but, surely the logical conclusion is that someone who has failed the enhanced CRB check should not be allowed to look after their own children?NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-64143138935064930942010-04-12T16:16:00.007+01:002010-04-12T16:32:04.637+01:00Lucky veterans?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_ZxRnWa2NafvU1fDjUPVQbH55EQuWMbr8YAzhLWYa6GL5Ka7NNOsKOe2NokN2FVsd7d062KVkO3lj3KX_h01Ifabl-zL6TB3SsbR5Lz-3cbtHfEY9SQNTS7mFyllyDfpAP_8sMqn7so/s1600/article-1189390-04F31E6E000005DC-816_468x286.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_ZxRnWa2NafvU1fDjUPVQbH55EQuWMbr8YAzhLWYa6GL5Ka7NNOsKOe2NokN2FVsd7d062KVkO3lj3KX_h01Ifabl-zL6TB3SsbR5Lz-3cbtHfEY9SQNTS7mFyllyDfpAP_8sMqn7so/s200/article-1189390-04F31E6E000005DC-816_468x286.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459273829521143170" /></a><br />Whatever one's view of Labour's wars, one of the ostensible reasons for our forces fighting, and being maimed and killed, in foreign lands was the creation of democracy and freedom. In Labour's manifesto we find the curious pledge to introduce a free identity card to access benefits for service people leaving the armed forces, see <a href="http://www.kable.co.uk/labour-manifesto-it-pledges-12apr10">here.</a> Presumably the party thinks it would be doing veterans a favour.<br /><br />Another pledge is the right for people to petition local authorities for more cameras (but not to take them down).NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-65350688489122654872010-04-09T21:49:00.013+01:002010-04-09T22:22:07.411+01:00I'm still in the dark<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjxzYsjyZFAhfIyO0Z4Ljr_SDmScr6W1NZCQ8THG3hmVph77RGytBKHBdcYSiFfZcHVcMfJaGcqs73gme9YF1MZAFXzeEN7cGYPpMOzRVD2trDFVtkQ59lUbMgYAZ-CI1iUzRw2YaPFk/s1600/spagetti.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjxzYsjyZFAhfIyO0Z4Ljr_SDmScr6W1NZCQ8THG3hmVph77RGytBKHBdcYSiFfZcHVcMfJaGcqs73gme9YF1MZAFXzeEN7cGYPpMOzRVD2trDFVtkQ59lUbMgYAZ-CI1iUzRw2YaPFk/s200/spagetti.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458250151489699298" /></a><br />I <a href="http://no2idbirmingham.blogspot.com/2010/03/secure-information-hub.html">recently reported </a>that the Birmingham City Council's free (taxpayer funded) magazine called Forward was delivered to my house and that, on page 13, I was informed about the council's scheme to ostensibly improve services to <span style="font-style:italic;">customers</span>. <br /><br />I am told that I am to have a single customer record - name, address, date of birth, gender, together with unspecified information which can be used to confirm my identity. The single customer record will act as an index to other customer information about me. My data will be perfectly safe - all in one place. <br /><br />Also on page 13, I am told that I have the right to request that Birmingham City Council stops using my information in relation to any council service, including the single customer record.<br /><br />I did this and duly contacted - <span style="font-weight:bold;">DP.Contacts@birmingham.gov.uk </span> They replied immediately asking for my DOB, yet ...... since then ..........<br /><br />despite <span style="font-weight:bold;">four requests </span>asking for confirmation that my request had been complied with and, nearly a month later, I am still waiting....... next time I'll cc the council leader, Nick Whitby.NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-91233200153826637572010-04-08T22:52:00.011+01:002010-04-08T23:34:00.607+01:00They Work For You - occasionally.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnGvsHOPHFvaZrAd0niJyradV6YSPV1ecYZqUIQBPAEtxk1ove72eYof25i9QjGwZ76gAKqZMAO_ArXB6-9YkxreMpLKgRjVXJkcGg9FWosSwnrySjiwlO6REFe3UdNZC_nj0Yqdm4o0/s1600/Digital+Bill.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnGvsHOPHFvaZrAd0niJyradV6YSPV1ecYZqUIQBPAEtxk1ove72eYof25i9QjGwZ76gAKqZMAO_ArXB6-9YkxreMpLKgRjVXJkcGg9FWosSwnrySjiwlO6REFe3UdNZC_nj0Yqdm4o0/s200/Digital+Bill.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457896266143221058" /></a><br />We find that, despite more than 20,000 constituents contacting their MPs prior to the debate on the Digital Economy Bill, only 40 of our honourable members could be bothered to attend and this number at one point fell to <span style="font-weight:bold;">15,</span> see <a href="http:///eureferendum.blogspot.com/2010/04/dilettantes.html">here.</a> Only 236 MPs voted on the bill, giving a quorum of just more than one-third of MPs for some of the most contentious legislation the government has introduced in 13 years in power. <br /><br /> TalkTalk director Andrew Heany said in a blog post, <span style="font-style:italic;">"If we are instructed to disconnect an account due to alleged copyright infringement we will refuse to do so and tell the rights holders we will see them in court.</span>" See <a href="http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2010/04/08/240846/Backlash-against-Digital-Economy-Bill-begins.htm"> here.</a>NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-86270686077487058032010-04-07T20:08:00.008+01:002010-04-07T20:20:23.067+01:00Election 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6Gb1QvI7l1MDmglQ89alD0do5GrWLZeGdAJZdc314vqumBGtu_nBYzsz23Lw7hVyl5qS03tuv-eqYPbkPRC8e7tj8aodkeKdIGaF_SUq-QuRNGLSixeDCmXHU3u1WVS8DwdzFxb-MYc/s1600/election-2010-the-polls-$7041602$300.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6Gb1QvI7l1MDmglQ89alD0do5GrWLZeGdAJZdc314vqumBGtu_nBYzsz23Lw7hVyl5qS03tuv-eqYPbkPRC8e7tj8aodkeKdIGaF_SUq-QuRNGLSixeDCmXHU3u1WVS8DwdzFxb-MYc/s200/election-2010-the-polls-$7041602$300.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457476889410966178" /></a><br />The <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/parties_and_issues/8515961.stm#subject=civil&col1=conservative&col2=labour&col3=libdem"> BBC </a> has a summary of the election pledges regarding civil liberties of the three main parties. There are, however, quite a few omissions, such as: the intercept modernisation programme, NHS 'spine', ANPR, the ISA's vetting and barring register, ContactPoint etc etc. Make sure you ask canvassers about some of these points if you live in a constituency where politicians can be bothered to call round.NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-7593412214293536102010-04-06T20:18:00.007+01:002010-04-06T20:41:08.973+01:00Motorist of good character sought.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMmSRrQdhn8y83NUILBKcqZldotevO8ltKYZl3DEB4Xqgjb09u1uprgOdFEjBInOqT9FSfsKAVn5A5Khbd6tX-jiJabRwVUTOZla2qZ4rV6tSkzOMd17AXoPg3TKd6zM6PzKPjyaNrBg/s1600/queen-driving-a.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMmSRrQdhn8y83NUILBKcqZldotevO8ltKYZl3DEB4Xqgjb09u1uprgOdFEjBInOqT9FSfsKAVn5A5Khbd6tX-jiJabRwVUTOZla2qZ4rV6tSkzOMd17AXoPg3TKd6zM6PzKPjyaNrBg/s200/queen-driving-a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457111628473630978" /></a><br />The Automatic Number Plate Recognition ANPR database is busily amassing <span style="font-weight:bold;">14 million </span> images daily. The records not only include details of car registrations, but often photographs of drivers and front-seat passengers. The records are held for at least two years without drivers’ knowledge or permission, see <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article7086783.ece"> here. </a> <br /><br />Liberty is seeking a motorist of good character who objects to having their daily movements stored on the ANPR database to bring a test case. Shami Chakrabarti said:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">It’s bad enough that images and movements of millions of innocent motorists are being stored for years on end, that the police are doing this with no legislative basis shows a contempt for parliament, personal privacy and the law.</span><br /><br />The ANPR network is now linked to more than 10,000 CCTV cameras and eventually the system will allow police to track the movements of <span style="font-weight:bold;">all</span> the vehicles in the UK at any time. <br /><br />Guess who started all this - yes our old friend ACPO Ltd.NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-56657361386478442702010-04-02T21:40:00.008+01:002010-04-02T21:54:53.575+01:00Write to your MP<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP78X4kOgeQ4fDncHVtj14Aq5qLDv1NE6F30MhkKcjNsg0mc0ygDIFnTcwPmTpeKRsBfg0qfFZr9mrxMNl3SFZDG9g_yBGhSwezPGvCk9TJggAllXB6UX-fLHhzaAz8NQYsK36uGGYbcM/s1600/dg.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP78X4kOgeQ4fDncHVtj14Aq5qLDv1NE6F30MhkKcjNsg0mc0ygDIFnTcwPmTpeKRsBfg0qfFZr9mrxMNl3SFZDG9g_yBGhSwezPGvCk9TJggAllXB6UX-fLHhzaAz8NQYsK36uGGYbcM/s200/dg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455646247551521122" /></a><br />The Open Rights Group has teamed up with 38 degrees to produce a site whereby you can write to your MP to protest against the rushing through of the Digital Economy Bill before the election without proper debate, see <a href="http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/speakout/extremeinternetl"> here. </a> The government will be able to disconnect you from the internet, without a warrant, if a member of your family continues to download films and music which are deemed illicit. Thereafter, by mission creep, what else might be considered illicit and copyright?NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-91237784890883676732010-03-31T19:50:00.013+01:002010-03-31T20:27:11.071+01:00Safe in their hands!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqrIVo798PpVEldbGCOSCTmWVcKLERKoVLEKXsinFKlA9JaKZj35yuDuDggqXDSUW3zL9kG3jLdgs-uhjkcH2ir2W_NVxlAo-j36fqyc5hwhJLXGcXlf-kfRbkfbdw-oSuQwbreW6E6M/s1600/6a0115709c6f9d970b0120a95384ce970b-800wi.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqrIVo798PpVEldbGCOSCTmWVcKLERKoVLEKXsinFKlA9JaKZj35yuDuDggqXDSUW3zL9kG3jLdgs-uhjkcH2ir2W_NVxlAo-j36fqyc5hwhJLXGcXlf-kfRbkfbdw-oSuQwbreW6E6M/s320/6a0115709c6f9d970b0120a95384ce970b-800wi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454880929156325522" /></a><br /> The personal details of 9,000 school pupils have been stolen from the home of a Barnet Council worker, see <a href="http:///www.times-series.co.uk/news/5422073.9_000_pupils_data_put_at_risk_after_robbery/">here.</a><br /><br />Twenty unauthorised and unencrypted CDs and memory sticks were stolen. Information included: pupil's names, gender, date of birth, addresses, phone numbers, unique identification number, free school meals eligibility, in-care indicator, language, gifted and talented indicator, mode of travel to school, entry date to school, special educational needs, school, attainment data for English, maths and science at end of Year 9 and attendance rate. <br /><br />Chief Executive Nick Walkley made the gnomic statement:<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"This should not be a case for concern relating to safeguarding." </span><br /><br />The data was evidently part of a student survey for the government <span style="font-style:italic;">to compare educational development within broad groups.</span> Were the parents consulted? I doubt it. Parents were not consulted about ContactPoint and its related databases, which contain even more sensitive data. One hopes there was no data sharing.<br /><br />Schools are routinely taking children's fingerprints without permission from their parents, see <a href="http:///www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1262087/Schools-taking-fingerprints-pupils-parents-knowing.html">here.</a><br /><br />As many as 3,500 schools take biometric data from pupils to speed up basic administration such as buying canteen lunches or borrowing library books. Dr Emmeline Taylor, who conducted a study on surveillance of pupils funded by Salford University, has revealed that 3,500 schools in the UK - <span style="font-weight:bold;">one in seven</span> - are estimated to be using fingerprint technology.<br /><br />A 2007 survey by the Liberal Democrats found that out of 285 schools using fingerprint scanners, only <span style="font-weight:bold;">48 </span>had first sought parental consent.<br /><br />Children are subjected to CCTV in their schools, many have to give their thumbprint to obtain a meal or borrow a book, their personal data is collected in vast swathes and lost .... and we are expected to believe that this is for the safety of our children. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Cartoon - on the occasion of the 20th Birthday of <a href="http://www.privacyinternational.org">Privacy International.</a></span>NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-75529125998972771612010-03-30T13:03:00.008+01:002010-03-30T13:23:37.867+01:00Compulsory is the new voluntary<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIiMofsbHSlZ7a6q8yUk7CQSQpTpJ-Lg4rVsyxCxDERnDMe5lOvui5xhxdDi0XFPDI8iF_xL24Mv03a_HHI1rge0VIFqIRVCMu7EhuedgSpwwv_xzISGpZ0HTrLU1VNpHxuxZ9Fn-9i4/s1600/idregister.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 136px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIiMofsbHSlZ7a6q8yUk7CQSQpTpJ-Lg4rVsyxCxDERnDMe5lOvui5xhxdDi0XFPDI8iF_xL24Mv03a_HHI1rge0VIFqIRVCMu7EhuedgSpwwv_xzISGpZ0HTrLU1VNpHxuxZ9Fn-9i4/s200/idregister.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454400791235856530" /></a><br />Now we all knew that the government's aim was for ID cards to become compulsory by stealth and here is Alan Johnson announcing this fact clearly, see <a href="http://www.kable.co.uk/fingerprint-passport-bill-plan"> here.</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"The provisions of the Identity Cards Act 2006 will be amended by further primary legislation, so that everyone aged 16 and over who applies for a British passport will have the choice of being issued with an identity card or a passport (or both documents) and for their identity details, including facial image and fingerprint biometrics, to be recorded on the same National Identity Register."</span><br /><br />Last year Kable research found that scrapping identity cards and fingerprinting for passports would save £3.08bn over a decade, whereas scrapping the cards but retaining fingerprinting would reduce the saving to £2.2bn. The government plans to require all 10 fingerprints for passport and ID applications, although only two will be held on the document's chip.<br /><br />Ask any Lib-Dem or Conservative canvassers what they intend to do about fingerprints in passports. <span style="font-style:italic;">(They both claim they intend to scrap the NIR and ID cards.)</span>NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214405063538463209.post-45556663834812378862010-03-29T10:17:00.017+01:002010-03-29T11:23:47.806+01:00Careless disclosure costs reputations.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWMS8f9pmas3ETzNzr3ENHLOSlRzVxZbgZBAo96vCA9xtXX20Qfpuv8rVnscjH1jq1xc-3d1aQQ5QbaWJEc3w5e70QHhN7qVCAg2bcqf9euDEAUQAQU81flDLl7p6yaXUV5AWXrf5Wag/s1600/careless+talk.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 129px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWMS8f9pmas3ETzNzr3ENHLOSlRzVxZbgZBAo96vCA9xtXX20Qfpuv8rVnscjH1jq1xc-3d1aQQ5QbaWJEc3w5e70QHhN7qVCAg2bcqf9euDEAUQAQU81flDLl7p6yaXUV5AWXrf5Wag/s200/careless+talk.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453997874426244290" /></a><br /><br />From August members of the public will be able to make applications for disclosure from police records about anybody who is in contact with children. It is claimed that the Home Secretary’s decision was justified by Home Office research - this relating to a <span style="font-weight:bold;">tiny</span> pilot study. <br /><br /><a href="http://amberhawk.typepad.com/amberhawk/2010/03/sex-offender-disclosure-procedure-ignores-data-protection-risk-assessment.html"> Hawktalk </a> reveals the fundamental flaws in this egregious scheme. <br /><br />The procedure involves four steps: <br />(1) Any person can make a request for information about a "subject"- <br />(2) Police then do a trawl of PNC, sex offender and local criminal intelligence data <br />(3) A preliminary risk assessment is made -<br />(4) Enquiries which do not meet the selection criteria are rejected – others move to the "application" for disclosure procedure, <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(a valid enquiry had to pass two thresholds: (1) the subject has unsupervised access to children and (2) the subject lived in the force area.) </span><br /><br />Hawtalk makes several important points and it is well worth reading the whole article.<br /><br /> Table 7 of the research report indicates that <span style="font-weight:bold;"> over half of applications did not have unsupervised contact with children.</span> Hence step(4) of the police procedure should have been step(2); the research made no comment on this anomaly.<br /><br />The Home Office Research Department has to be made independent of the Home Office.<br /> <br />Should personal data be retained on criminal intelligence systems if the subject has no criminal record and was not previously known to the police? <br /><br />Such information might then be passed to employers to assess. Now ask a simple question: if you were an employer with a short list of two job-applicants – one of which has this kind of query against his or her name and the other hasn’t - which one do you employ?NO2ID Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928691584927940114noreply@blogger.com0