Only a few hours after I published this morning's post commenting on the personal data security concerns at government departments, puppet chancellor Alistair Darling was forced to make an emergency statement to Parliament disclosing that the good ol' tax man has "lost" two computer discs holding the personal details of all families in the UK with a child under 16 years old.
The Child Benefit data on the discs includes the name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number and bank account details of 25 million people.
The discs were being sent to the National Audit Office via HMRC's internal post system operated by the courier TNT. However, despite their extraordinarily sensitive contents, the package was not sent using either recorded or registered delivery. The discs never arrived at their destination. Furthermore, despite the Puppet Chancellor being informed of the situation on 10 November, he kept the disaster hidden for ten days giving any crooks in possession of the information plenty of time to rape your bank account and apply for a few credit cards in your name! Aside from the obvious, I have two fundamental questions:
The Child Benefit data on the discs includes the name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number and bank account details of 25 million people.
The discs were being sent to the National Audit Office via HMRC's internal post system operated by the courier TNT. However, despite their extraordinarily sensitive contents, the package was not sent using either recorded or registered delivery. The discs never arrived at their destination. Furthermore, despite the Puppet Chancellor being informed of the situation on 10 November, he kept the disaster hidden for ten days giving any crooks in possession of the information plenty of time to rape your bank account and apply for a few credit cards in your name! Aside from the obvious, I have two fundamental questions:
- Why on earth is HMRC sending CDs around in this day and age?
- Why are all our personal bank details being sent to the NAO in the first place?
Surely, after this catastrophe there can be no confidence whatsoever in the vast centralised databases needed for the compulsory ID card scheme. Start lobbying your MP now before Gordon is a Moron pushes it all through on the quiet. Even by the civil service's woeful standards, this level of incompetence is beyond staggering.
Bastards ... slimy bastards all over the world!
Bastards ... slimy bastards all over the world!
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