Adebayor's started so well for Man City
Lost in the Post
This security breach involving the names, addresses and BANK DETAILS of millions of us receiving child benefit is extraordinary. I can't work out whether I need to be worried or not. Who's got the disc with all the data on, or has it been binned by accident? If you've noticed anything untoward going on with your bank account in the last 6 months, tell me what happened..
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Reaction in the blogosphere has been extensive and rapid.
reminds us all that this is not the first time that this sort of thing has happened.
The ´óÏó´«Ã½'s own Nick Robinson talks of the yawning gap that has opened up between what we're told about the protection of our personal data and the reality.
Meanwhile, has suggested that there now needs to be an inquiry across all government systems. The Wardman Wire agrees, stating that ...
Us in the media haven't escaped criticism over this affair either - Progressive Gold suggests that the media in general .
Victoria,
It seems to me that anything even vaguely IT based this government screws up.
And they want us to believe they won't cock up an ID card system.
This particular lapse is unbelieveable but at the least the guy in charge has took it on the chin and resigned ( though i do think that the person actually responsible should be given the boot as well )
Surely if anyone sustains any losses that can be traced back to this appalling lapse of security would have a cast iron case to sue the government ?
Quite apart from the failure of HMRC, I feel the media treatment has been pretty shoddy. There was 20 minutes of shock-horror stuff on 'PM' today, and the Secretary to the treasury was there - but not once was anyone asked Was the data encrypted? If not, why not? Was it passworded? If so, who decided on the password? Who knew it? and how was the password conveyed from A to B?
Why did the ´óÏó´«Ã½ not ask these relevant questions?
Under the current Data Protection laws can the person(s) responsible and HMRC be prosecuted ?
This is a serious breach of security and the true effect will not be felt for a number years when Alister Darling and the rest of this incompetent goverment are retired and relaxing in their new non-executive director roles.
The risk of bank fraud was the only risk mentioned yesterday by the Chancellor. However, the possession of such a large amount of data could also be used to perpetrate other tax related frauds. This might not take money directly from our bank accounts, but it would affect each and every taxpayer indirectly as surely as the Northen Rock scandal.
A more sinister risk stems from the fact that the disk gives the name and address, sex, and age of all of the children in the UK. This would obviously be very valuable data for a paedophile.
There is absolutely no need to download data and write it to removeable media. Ever. If the audit office want this data and if they are entitled to see it, they can be granted access to the system where the data is held without the need to remove the data from the system where it is stored. They can analyse to their hearts content on the mainframe system where the data is stored. If necessary, they can be provided with all the software tools they require for data analisys and investigation without moving the data to removable media. At worst, it can be moved to a secure networked PC and analysed there. No been for it to be on removeable media EVER.
Why couldn't this detail be sent as an email attachment or file transfer from one system to another ?
Victoria
I believe the missing CDs not only contain national insurance numbers, addresses and bank account details but also TELEPHONE NUMBERS. Can anyone confirm that this is the case?
Great programme
Kind regards
David
Victoria has made great play on Alistair Darling's statement yesterday that the police had told him that there was no evidence that the disks had fallen into criminal hands.
Surely, it is equally true that there is no evidence that it has not!
I wonder why he chose the line he did?
Typical over reaction from the general public - but also another example of civil service cock up. They will claim it is due to cost cutting and dont' discount the conspiracy theory that they have constructed this to stop cost cutting. Most civil Servant departments are stufffed full of useless individuals who won't be sacked because they will be unemployable in the private sector - so this is protecting jobless figures. I know this for a fact. Add governement lies and ministers never taking responsibility and you get what we have got. Tax payers are being milked dry!
Government incompetence, ministers not to blame...we've heard that before.
What next?
I sent a recorded letter to the Pension Office in Norcross, regarding my Aunt. When I phone a week later, I was told it had not arrived, I used track and trace through the Royal Mail and found that it had be delivered the next day. I phone them back and was told I was wrong, I ask them to check in their post room, after a very heated arguement they agreed to check and they phone me back 10 minutes later they were very sorry as it was sat in the post room for five days, Even though it had the person's name on it who needed it. So these discs could be in the post room?
It does not surprise me, I see the lowest paid clerk addressing incorrect mail for the NHS every day, the managers do not understand and expect a grade 1 to be as good as a grade 4, its only a money saving exercise gone wrong. Trouble is no-one gets the sack, there is no responsability. Imagine how secure ID card privacy by these people would be.
If this was an insurance Compnay or Bank they would have been fined and probably shut down until they had approved IT systems in place. The Govenment have shown total contempt.
Did the National Audit Office ask for the data in this way? And if so why?
Surely it should never have been distributed in this manner.
The Register has a really interesting piece, including some insider comments from HMRC employees...
Victoria,
Read through some of the comments posted.
Some good and points made.
However, a major point is being missed - TNT LOST THE DISCS - NOT THE JUNIOR OFFICIAL, HMRC or THE GOVERNMENT!
If it had been the GPO what an outcry there would have been!
Does not say much for a privatised postal service.
DO WE REALLY WANT TO HOST ANY FOOTBALL WORLD CUP COMPETITION IN THE FUTURE IN THE UK ?
IMAGINE THE EMBARSMENT OF GETTING KNOCKED OUT IN THE OPENING ROUNDS.
The loss of data is unfortunate. It shows that human brain can not be replaced by computer. Future occurence should avoided. purnishment at this stage can not solve the problem. I only pray that fraudstars will not take undue advantage of the situation.
I am surprised by the string of so called experts on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ suggesting that people should change their bank accounts. You give out your bank details everytime you write a check or hand over your debit card. Your address can be obtained from the electoral roll, the telephone directory and numerous other sources. This is not sufficient for someone to fraudulently access your bank account - unless both you and the bank are negligent.
A rush of customers wanting to change bank accounts will send the finance industry into turmoil and could create the very conditions which fraudsters require in order for them to be successful. And remember, you will have to change all your direct debits, with the potential for important payments to be missed or to go astray.
re: England Football
We had to put up with a bunch of turnips before we got a Swede, it seems we're back to the turnips again.
Hi Victoria,
Regarding the next England manager, since the FA have bought thenselves some time, I wonder to what extent they will also take the time to look at the game from top to bottom. At my temder age of 60, I've always admired players from Brazil. They always look good on the ball and have excellent ball control skills. But they have always been like this. So what is it about them (the Italians and the Germans for that matter) that makes them always play well, almost regardless of the manager?? And they are in demand in many countries.
Another point is that if our game is so good, how many English (Scots, Welsh and Irish as well) play abroad. And then ask how many foreign players play here? Happy to join in the debate. Great show, Keith
Hi Victoria,
They are busily apportioning blame over the lost data disc between the civil servants who sent it and the civil servants who did not, allegedly, receive it. No one seems to blame the contracted carrier, TNT. We should ask why our government ignores it's own national mail carrier, which is far cheaper than any privateer, and pays through the nose for a service they obviously do not get. The recent postal strike cannot be used as an excuse - this was a long term contract with TNT
Bob Wydell
Oswestry