Government grants itself even more data sharing power
But ever so quietly
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The government's proposals to increase data sharing between departments will be buried in the Coroners and Justice Bill - which is expected to be presented to the House of Commons today.
The bill is expected to include measures covering the government's response to the Data Handling Review, which we covered here. In essence these will allow more data sharing between different arms of government - because we all know that current arrangements are too tight and too rigorously followed, don't we?
Recommendation 8 (a and b) was accepted by the government - it gives the Secretary of State the right to remove "an existing legal barrier to data sharing".
Although the government response generally agreed that departments should admit who else they are sharing information with there were three provisos - national security, confidentiality agreements and market sensitivity. The last two have been routinely used to suppress information about government IT contracts.
Lobby group No2ID expects the Bill to be pushed through its first reading on Friday.
Phil Booth, NO2ID National Coordinator, said:
Rather than protecting our personal information, as it should be, the government is cutting away safeguards for its own data-trafficking convenience. This is a Bill to smash the rule of law and build the database state in its place.Burying sweeping constitutional change in obscure Bills is an appalling approach. Having proved - and admitted - they cannot be trusted to look after our secrets, they are still determined to steal what privacy we have left. Parliament needs to wake up before it has no say any more.
A Ministry of Justice Spokesperson said:
Sharing data is essential for the delivery of efficient and effective joined-up public services, tackling crime and protecting the public. The new power will lead to a more streamlined process for policies requiring data sharing whilst at the same time allowing fuller parliamentary scrutiny. Any draft Order would require Parliamentary approval and a Privacy Impact Assessment.Additionally, the Information Commissioner would have been invited to comment on the proposals. This will ensure that any potential privacy issues and risks are identified and examined. The power will be exercised only in circumstances where the sharing of the information is in the public interest and proportionate to the impact on any person adversely affected by it.
Although the government has gone some way to increase the ICO's powers and funding, these proposals will also increase the burden on the watchdog. ®
COMMENTS
Not how parliament works
@ AC 09:11 5 Dec:
"If I was a Labour MP in Parliament, I would reject another reach around like this, because I'd want to get re-elected and I wouldn't have faith in a certain minister not to misuse this in ways..."
You might. But unless you are on the bill committee or have a special interest, it is more likely you would get all your knowledge of the government's legislative programme and its consequences from PLP Briefings - which in this case will concentrate on the *popularity* of harsh-sounding new sentencing provisions in the "justice" bit, and on the presumed utility of data sharing for unimpeachable-sounding purposes such as "medical research". You will in all probability turn up to vote when instructed at the end of the debate, but otherwise stick to being an overpaid socialworker (sub. nom. "good constituency MP") and spouting whatever line has been fed to you as this week's message.
re: Right we all know it's way out of order so ...
PS If we want to meet up with a million others in London to walk into the houses of parliament and evict the corrupt politicians (and, in the interests of efficiency, the non corrupt ones too, because, they may *later* undergo corruption later), I shall be there.
No need to be armed. We just have to accept that out of millions, tens of thousands may fall wounded by baton and gas, but there's still more left to get in there.
And I have no problem being in the van.
re: Right we all know it's way out of order so ...
By ensuring that if the case turns up where they take my DNA I ensure I am not innocent. I will be guilty of as many counts of GBH to as many officers of the "law" as possible. If I am to be considered a potential criminal I shall ensure the potential is fully realised.
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