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January 26, 2009
Delayed child database launched despite security fears
ContactPoint holds data of every child in UK
By Siobhan Chapman, Computerworld UK
The controversial £224m ContactPoint database, containing the personal details of every child in the UK, will be launched today.
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The ContactPoint system, built by Capgemini, will see the names, addresses, schools and GPs of all under 18's listed in a database which could only be accessed by child professionals, such as social workers, doctors and the police.
The project has been hit by a string of delays amid concerns over security of the sensitive data it holds, with ministers admitting it needed more "rigorous" testing.
Children's Secretary Ed Balls will today announce the first stages in the roll out of ContactPoint across the country. This includes training for two security-checked officials in each council to start operating the system. The government will also carry out more intensive trials in 17 authorities in the North West and two children's charities. The system will be operational from the summer.
Balls said it was created to enable professionals to share information on young people they suspect is at risk to ensure "no child slips through the net of support services".
The creation of ContactPoint was a key recommendation of the Laming Inquiry following the death of Victoria Climbe in 2000.
Lord Laming said: "ContactPoint will not replace the need for children's services organisations to ensure effective working across teams, across services and agencies, including sharing information where this is appropriate. But, in time, I believe ContactPoint will be an important tool in supporting this practice."
But critics have slammed the system in light of the government's history of data losses, most notably after the HMRC scandal when 25 million personal records went missing.
Liberal Democrats, Children's shadow minister David Laws condemned ContactPoint as "intrusive and expensive".
“The fact that the rollout has already been delayed because of technical issues does not bode well for the future.
“The Government has shown it can’t be trusted with sensitive data. Parents have every right to demand that their children’s personal details are not put at risk.”
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Comments received
Michelle Graham said on Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Leaving aside the government's track record so far, you only have to search Google for 'data breach' to realise how utterly insecure this database is.
And while you're there, look up Clause 152 of the Coroners and Justice Bill to see just how toothless the Data Protection Act will become once it comes into force.
Your kids' data is not only at risk from opportunistic hacking and careless losses, but also legitimate information sharing orders once this goes through.
Privacy International has designated the UK the only European 'black zone' alongside China and Russia. Black zones are 'endemic surveillance societies' with the worst records of privacy - www.privacyinternational.org/article.shtml?cmd[347]=x-347-559597.
They say the UK government's proposal for wide scale data sharing is an example of the issues that pose a fundamental risk to the foundations of privacy protection.
Olly said on Tuesday, 27 January 2009
How does one over-large database help keep any child safe? The risk of data contamination, data misuse and data loss is far too high. This is an infringement of our civil liberties and takes away a parent's undeniable right to protect their children and keep their details private. Adults always tell children - dont give out your private info on the internet and yet here are so called adults purposefully collecting the details of every child - and putting it all in the same database basket! How are parents supposed to protect children if we cant even say who has access to their personal information? As with the electoral register, the information contained on this farcial database could be invaluable for mass mailing shots from commercial companies. So how long before it gets sold for a profit? And how do we know who will buy it? Peodofiles will think its Christmas!!!!!!!!!!
Olly said on Tuesday, 27 January 2009
How does one over-large database help keep any child safe? The risk of data contamination, data misuse and data loss is far too high. This is an infringement of our civil liberties and takes away a parent's undeniable right to protect their children and keep their details private. Adults always tell children - dont give out your private info on the internet and yet here are so called adults purposefully collecting the details of every child - and putting it all in the same database basket! How are parents supposed to protect children if we cant even say who has access to their personal information? As with the electoral register, the information contained on this farcial database could be invaluable for mass mailing shots from commercial companies. So how long before it gets sold for a profit? And how do we know who will buy it? Peodofiles will think its Christmas!!!!!!!!!!