Summary
This inquiry
‘Protection
of Private Data’ (HC 154) was prompted by the loss by HM Revenue &
Customs, in November 2007, of two CDs containing personal and banking
information belonging to all child benefit claimants.
The
Committee took evidence from the Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, and
his deputy, David Smith, about this case and the issue of protection of
personal data held by Government and other agencies.
The Committee
concludes that there is evidence of a widespread problem within Government
relating to establishing systems for data protection and operating them
adequately. The Information Commissioner needs better funding and more powers
to enable review of systems for data protection. There is a difficult balance
to be struck between the advantages of wider exchange of personal data between
Government departments and the protection of personal data.
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