The Driver Vehicle Agency in Northern Ireland has lost the personal details of 6,000 people.
The Driver and Vehicle Agency in Northern Ireland has lost the personal details of 6,000 people.
The data was on two discs and went missing after being sent to the agency's headquarters in Swansea.
The data was on two discs and went missing after being sent to the agency's headquarters in Swansea.
The DVA said the data was being provided in response to a safety recall by a number of manufacturers.
The DVA said the data was being provided in response to a safety recall by a number of manufacturers.
The head of the agency said the information was not encrypted. It included details of 7,685 vehicles and more than 6,000 vehicle keepers.
The head of the agency said the information was not encrypted. It included details of 7,685 vehicles and more than 6,000 vehicle keepers.
The data includes the keeper's name, address, registration mark of the vehicle, chassis number, make and colour.
The data includes the keeper's name, address, registration mark of the vehicle, chassis number, make and colour.
It wasn't encrypted - this was one of the problems we had identified through our review, that this was an actual weakness Brendan MageeDVA chief executive
It wasn't encrypted - this was one of the problems we had identified through our review, that this was an actual weakness Brendan MageeDVA chief executive
However, the DVA said no personal financial data was on the discs, which arrived at a depot in Coventry.
However, the DVA said no personal financial data was on the discs, which arrived at a depot in Coventry.
"Letters have been sent to all registered keepers of vehicles involved," it said.
"Letters have been sent to all registered keepers of vehicles involved," it said.
Brendan Magee, chief executive of the Driver and Vehicle Agency, said: "We are deeply disappointed and I can understand why customers would be concerned.
Brendan Magee, chief executive of the Driver and Vehicle Agency, said: "We are deeply disappointed and I can understand why customers would be concerned.
"This was information in response to a safety recall from a number of manufacturers."
"This was information in response to a safety recall from a number of manufacturers."
Government agencies
Government agencies
He added: "We were undertaking a review of how we transmit all this information. We completed that review last week.
He added: "We were undertaking a review of how we transmit all this information. We completed that review last week.
"Unfortunately, this incident had taken place before we completed the review and we deeply regret it and we regret the embarrassment we caused to the customers.
"Unfortunately, this incident had taken place before we completed the review and we deeply regret it and we regret the embarrassment we caused to the customers.
"It wasn't encrypted. This was one of the problems we had identified through our review, that this was an actual weakness. We are now looking at alternative methods of transporting this information."
"It wasn't encrypted. This was one of the problems we had identified through our review, that this was an actual weakness. We are now looking at alternative methods of transporting this information."
Louise McElheron, one of those affected by the latest incident, said: "We have to provide our details to these government agencies to get child benefit and register cars.
Louise McElheron, one of those affected by the latest incident, said: "We have to provide our details to these government agencies to get child benefit and register cars.
It is the second major blunder involving lost government data
It is the second major blunder involving lost government data
"We're trusting that they will treat our data with respect. And really we're victim to lax procedures, careless individuals or at worst dishonesty."
"We're trusting that they will treat our data with respect. And really we're victim to lax procedures, careless individuals or at worst dishonesty."
She added: "So it is sad that there's a sense of inevitability about it all."
She added: "So it is sad that there's a sense of inevitability about it all."
In a statement, Parcelforce Worldwide said it apologised for the loss of the two discs.
In a statement, Parcelforce Worldwide said it apologised for the loss of the two discs.
It said it had "searched exhaustively" for the packages "and will continue to work with the DVLA in our efforts to trace them".
It said it had "searched exhaustively" for the packages "and will continue to work with the DVLA in our efforts to trace them".
Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers said it "beggars belief" that the government was "still losing CDs with thousands of people's personal data in the post".
Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers said it "beggars belief" that the government was "still losing CDs with thousands of people's personal data in the post".
"It looks like it has failed to learn anything from the HMRC catastrophe," she said.
"It looks like it has failed to learn anything from the HMRC catastrophe," she said.
Special telephone helplines have been set up for anyone concerned about the loss: 028 70341357 and 028 70341428.
Special telephone helplines have been set up for anyone concerned about the loss: 028 70341357 and 028 70341428.
It is the second major blunder involving lost government data in recent weeks.
It is the second major blunder involving lost government data in recent weeks.
Last month, two discs containing the personal details of 25 million people were lost after HM Revenue and Customs sent them unregistered and unencrypted.
Last month, two discs containing the personal details of 25 million people were lost after HM Revenue and Customs sent them unregistered and unencrypted.
Have you been affected by this story? Are you concerned that your personal details might have been lost? Send us your comments using the form below.
Have you been affected by this story? Are you concerned that your personal details might have been lost? Send us your comments using the form below.
