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Information chief demands reforms Information chief demands reforms
(about 2 hours later)
The information commissioner has warned that a "climate of fear" may be created unless he gets greater powers to counteract "excessive surveillance".The information commissioner has warned that a "climate of fear" may be created unless he gets greater powers to counteract "excessive surveillance".
Richard Thomas wants to boost his office's inspection powers. Richard Thomas, who is giving evidence to a committee of MPs, said it was wrong that organisations could not be inspected without consent.
He said it was "wrong" that inspections of organisations could not be carried out without their consent. He also wants government departments to carry out privacy impact assessments on all proposed schemes.
Mr Thomas will give evidence later as the Commons home affairs committee of MPs begins its inquiry into issues surrounding a "surveillance society". He told the BBC: "Limits must be drawn because there are risks."
Mr Thomas said: "People now understand that data protection is an essential barrier to excessive surveillance. Mr Thomas is now giving evidence to the Commons home affairs committee of MPs, as it begins its inquiry into issues surrounding a "surveillance society".
"But it is wrong that my office cannot find out what is happening in practice without the consent of each organisation." 'Real damage'
it is important that there is a vigorous debate around the issue of surveillance Richard Thomas Information Commissioner Earlier he told the BBC that inaccurate information, leaked information and mistaken identities could cause "real damage".
He added: "As well as risks such as identity mistakes and security breaches there can be unnecessary intrusion into people's lives and loss of personal autonomy. "We must have transparency, we must have openness, so people see what's going on.
"There is also a concern that too much surveillance will create a climate of fear and suspicion." "When the threats are greatest, the safeguards have to be strongest."
Mr Thomas said it was essential that, before any surveillance technology was introduced, full consideration was given to the impact on individuals and that safeguards were in place to minimise intrusion. It is important that there is a vigorous debate around the issue of surveillance Richard Thomas Information Commissioner
He added as well as the risks of mistakes, there could also be "unnecessary intrusion" into people's lives.
"There is also a concern that too much surveillance will create a climate of fear and suspicion," he said.
He said before any surveillance technology was introduced, full consideration should be given to the impact on individuals.
Privacy impact assessments would aim to ensure organisations set out how they might minimise threats to privacy and address all risks.Privacy impact assessments would aim to ensure organisations set out how they might minimise threats to privacy and address all risks.
Totalitarian fearsTotalitarian fears
The Information Commissioner's Office was set up to uphold data protection laws and promote public access to official information.The Information Commissioner's Office was set up to uphold data protection laws and promote public access to official information.
In his submission to the committee, Mr Thomas said schemes with a "surveillance society dimension", such as the issuing of ID cards, should take account of data protection and privacy concerns. In his submission to the committee, Mr Thomas said schemes with a "surveillance society dimension", such as ID cards, should take account of data protection and privacy concerns.
He added: "While I do not believe that we are living in the type of society associated with totalitarian regimes, it is important that there is a vigorous debate around the issue of surveillance - about where lines should be drawn and the restrictions and safeguards which are needed."He added: "While I do not believe that we are living in the type of society associated with totalitarian regimes, it is important that there is a vigorous debate around the issue of surveillance - about where lines should be drawn and the restrictions and safeguards which are needed."
There are up to 4.2m CCTV cameras in Britain - about one for every 14 people - and the UK also holds 3.6 million DNA samples, which is the world's biggest database.There are up to 4.2m CCTV cameras in Britain - about one for every 14 people - and the UK also holds 3.6 million DNA samples, which is the world's biggest database.
Last year, Mr Thomas warned that the UK risked "sleep-walking into a surveillance society".Last year, Mr Thomas warned that the UK risked "sleep-walking into a surveillance society".