MPs call for data loss to be a crime
Reckless or repeated breaches of data security should become a criminal offence, the House of Commons Justice Select Committee has urged in its report into the protection of private data. The call follows the loss of 25m people’s personal details by HM Revenue and Customs last November, described by the committee as ‘truly shocking’. The […]
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Cameron says NHS IT must be local
Conservative party leader David Cameron has attacked the NHS IT programme and called for local ownership and innovation. In a keynote speech at Trafford General Hospital to mark the 60th anniversary of the NHS, the opposition leader called for local NHS organisations to be allowed to innovate. He singled out the IT team at Trafford […]
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Children’s database delayed to review security
The government has announced that the £224m children’s database, ContactPoint, will be delayed for five months, so that a full security review can take place, following last week’s HM Revenue and Customs child benefit data loss scandal. The new system, originally due to go live in spring 2008, has been postponed and is now due […]
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Revenue blunder is a lesson for public bodies
The Information Commissioner has highlighted the importance of tight security and data protection in public sector bodies, following the security lapse at HM Revenue and Customs (HRMC) leading to the disappearance of discs containing the personal data of 25m people. Last night the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, confirmed that two computer discs holding the personal details […]
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