Personal data security examined

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7124303.stm

Version 0 of 1.

The Times taps into fears about the security of personal data by carrying out its own investigation.

It says that it managed to download banking information belonging to 32 people, including a high court judge and a managing director.

Apparently the data included Pins and security codes.

The Times says the details were being offered on illegal websites free-of-charge in the hope that criminals would pay to see more.

The paper says the sites even had review sections where buyers could recommend a particular fraudster.

The Times reports that it passed its findings on to the police and the information commissioner who are both investigating.

Cancer warnings

The Sun believes that ministers are planning to ban cigarette machines and stop under-18s from using coin-operated sun beds, in an attempt to reduce cancer deaths.

The paper gives its backing to any such move - saying there's evidence that one in five child smokers use the vending machines to fuel their habit.

It is also worried about girls as young as 12 buying tanning sessions, despite a warning by the World Health Organisation.

The Daily Telegraph carries its own cancer warning on its front page.

According to the paper, a Dutch study of 120,000 people suggests a chemical found in many cooked foods can increase the risk of ovarian and womb cancer in women.

The article says that the chemical - acrylamide - is found in common items such as bread, breakfast cereals and coffee.

It's also created by frying, roasting or grilling meat and potatoes. And experts have warned the paper that people should try to cut the amount of fried food and over-cooked food in their diet.

City academies

The Guardian's lead concerns the government's flagship city academies scheme.

The paper says that it has learned that both Oxford and Cambridge universities have rejected attempts by ministers to persuade them to adopt a city academy.

According to the Guardian, confidential documents suggest Cambridge was worried that it would get a bad press if the school failed. And there could be a conflict of interest when it came to consider university applications from the pupils.

On its front page, the Financial Times concentrates on the troubled bank, Northern Rock.

It says a number of companies are preparing to submit takeover proposals and challenge the bid made by Virgin.

The FT suggests that the Chancellor Alistair Darling is keen to see a bidding war because it will make it more likely that the Bank of England will be able to recoup its emergency loans.